Darius Acuff Jr. one of the best CBB guard Calipari has coached

[ad_1] Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari has coached many elite guards all through his 34-year collegiate teaching profession.

Former Kentucky Wildcats star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (now with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder) and former Memphis Tigers/Chicago Bulls standout Derrick Rose instantly come to thoughts. Razorbacks freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. could sooner or later discover himself in comparable firm.

Like Rose and Gilgeous-Alexander, he owns a deep offensive bag. He showcased it in a stellar efficiency in opposition to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Wednesday evening.

Darius Acuff Jr. caught hearth in opposition to Alabama Acuff scored a season-high 49 factors on 16-of-27 capturing from the sphere, grabbed 5 rebounds and logged 5 assists in a 117-115 double additional time loss to the Crimson Tide. Lots of his buckets got here within the first half when he netted 22 factors in 20 minutes.

The loss to the Crimson Tide (19-7, 9-4 SEC) snapped a three-game successful streak for the Razorbacks (19-7, 9-4 SEC). Acuff's excellent evening overshadowed that.

It had the guard incomes main props on social media. ESPN Analyst/ former Boston Celtics middle Kendrick Perkins referred to as Acuff the "finest school guard Calipari has ever coached" on X.

He is definitely among the best scorers. Coming into Wednesday evening, Acuff was averaging 21.2 factors per recreation (No. 14 within the nation) on a exceptional 50.3% capturing from the sphere. Alexander logged 14.4 PPG on 48.5% capturing in his one season for Kentucky (2017-18). Rose tallied 14.9 PPG on 47.7% capturing in his one season for Memphis (2007-08).

Each Calipari merchandise, after all, went on to have profitable NBA careers. Gilgeous-Alexander received league MVP and his first championship final season. Rose captured 2010-11 league MVP with the Bulls.

Acuff has loads extra work to do earlier than he reaches that degree. However his ground stays that of a first-round decide within the 2026 NBA Draft. Tankathon has the Milwaukee Bucks deciding on him with decide No. 9 in its up to date mock.