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Teammate Calls Acuff 'Generational' After He Delivers in Clutch vs Bucks

Former UA guard delivered on Monday like he did so many times in a Razorback uniform
Samuel Stubbs|
Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff during game against the Southern Jaguars at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.
Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff during game against the Southern Jaguars at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. | Nilsen Roman-allHOGS Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Time after time, Razorback fans had the privilege of watching Darius Acuff Jr. go to work in crunch time.

Playing hobbled in a road game against Alabama on Feb. 18, Acuff nailed a three to send the game into overtime. Against Oklahoma in Norman on Jan. 27, it was Acuff who delivered the game-winning layup and subsequent free throw with 21 seconds to go.

Acuff then broke the Sooners' hearts again in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on March 13, making a fadeaway jumper in the corner to help the Hogs advance.

Those are just a few of the clutch plays Acuff made during his lone season in Fayetteville. He already made one at the NBA level on Saturday, dishing the game-winning assist to Nique Clifford in the Sacramento Kings' Summer League win over the Nets.

But what he did on Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks was even more impressive. The rookie had 22 points, albeit on a middle-of-the-road night in regard to efficiency, as he shot only 7-19 from the field.

Acuff did, however, shoot 4-9 from beyond the arc, including a game-sealing three with 23 seconds left.

"I came out here with a little more poise," Acuff said post-game. "Tried to get people involved more and it just slowed the game down a little bit. I think from the start I slowed down a little bit. Last game, I was a little too rushed, shot too many times, went back to my high school ways a little bit."

Acuff ended the night with a stat line of 22 points, three rebounds and three assists. He also made an impact on the defensive end, getting a steal and blocking two shots.

"Defense, you gotta play hard every possession I would say," Acuff said. "Can't take no breaks on both end. The pace is [way faster]."

It hasn't taken long for Acuff to adjust to the NBA game, and his teammates are noticing.

"He's a phenomenal point guard, phenomenal talent," said center Dylan Cardwell, who played college basketball at Auburn. "Anybody that leads the SEC in assists is a great basketball player, but to lead in both assists and points... I mean, generational player. I haven't played with a player yet where they're blitzing him every single play. Gives you an insight to how dangerous he is, how much respect he commands from the other teams where they're pulling the whole floor over for him. Right now, it feels like we're playing 2-on-5 because of how great he is."

Acuff and Sacramento will next see the floor on Thursday when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at 10 p.m. CT in Las Vegas.

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Samuel Stubbs
SAMUEL STUBBS

Sam Stubbs is a student at the University of Arkansas pursuing a degree in journalism. He has worked at the UA’s student newspaper, the Arkansas Traveler, since October 2025, becoming the assistant sports editor in December 2025. When he's not writing about the Razorbacks, Sam can be found covering NASCAR for Yardbarker and is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), winning an award for race coverage from the association in February 2025. He's previously worked for Heavy, Field Level Media, Frontstretch and FanSided.

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