Basketball (M)

Acuff Selected as a Wooden Award Finalist and All-America

March 31, 2026
Wooden Award Finalists and All-America Team Darius Acuff Jr. Bio

FAYETTEVILLE – The Los Angeles Athletic Club announced that Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. has been named 1 of 5 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award®, presented by Principal®, as well as being listed on its 10-member All-America team.

The Wooden Award All-America Teams and Top Five Finalists for the National Player of the Year were revealed on Tuesday, March 31, on ESPN2 during the Wooden Award presented by Principal Finalists Show.

The Wooden Award Top 5 includes Acuff, Cameron Boozer (Duke), AJ Dybansta (BYU), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) and Braden Smith (Purdue).

The Wooden Award All-America team consists of Acuff, Boozer, Dybansta, Lendeborg, Smith, Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State), JT Toppin (Texas Tech) and Keaton Wagler (Illinois).

The Detroit native ranks third in the NCAA in points per game (23.47), 10th in 3-point percentage (44.0%) and 14th in assists per game (6.44). Among NCAA freshmen, Acuff ranked second in scoring, second in 3-point percentage and second in assists per game while ranking third in field goals made, fifth in 3-pointers made per game, seventh in free throws made and third in assist/turnover ratio.

Acuff set the Arkansas record for points in a season (845) and assists in a season (232). He joined Pete Maravich (LSU) as the only players to lead the SEC in both scoring and assists in the same season. Acuff also led the SEC in assist/turnover ratio (2.97), field goals made (288) and minutes played (35.12).

Acuff is the only player to rank among the SEC single-season top 10 lists for points and assists. His 845 points rank 9th-best and the best total since Jodie Meek (Kentucky) scored 854 points in 2008-09. His 232 assists also rank 9th-best, tying Roger Hardin (Kentucky) in 1985-86 and the most since Tyler Ulis (Kentucky) had 246 in 2016.

ACUFF’S POSTSEASON HONORS

  • John R. Wooden Award Finalist
  • Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Finalist
  • Bob Cousy Award Finalist
  • Lute Olson Award Finalist
  • Kyle Macy Award Finalist
  • 1st Team All-American (AP)
  • 1st Team All-American (USBWA)
  • 1st Team All-American (The Sporting News)
  • 1st Team All-American (NABC)
  • Wooden Award All-America (1, 10-player team)
  • 1st Team All-American (CollegeHoopsToday)
  • 1st Team All-Rolls Royce (Dick Vitale)
  • 1st Team All-American (Field of 68)
  • 1st Team All-American (Bleacher Report)
  • 1st Team All-Southeast District (NABC)
  • 1st Team All-SEC (Coaches)
  • 1st Team All-SEC (AP)
  • 1st Team All-SEC (CollegeHoopsToday)
  • 1st Team All-SEC (USA TODAY Sports Network)
  • SEC Player of the Year (Coaches)
  • SEC Player of the Year (AP)
  • SEC Freshman of the Year (Coaches)
  • SEC Freshman of the Year (AP)
  • SEC Player of the Year (CollegeHoopsToday)
  • SEC Player of the Year (HoopsHD)
  • SEC Player of the Year (USA TODAY Sports Network)
  • SEC Newcomer of the Year (USA TODAY Sports Network)
  • SEC Rookie of the Year (HoopsHD)
  • SEC Tournament MVP
  • SEC All-Tournament Team

WEEKLY NATIONAL HONORS

  • Naismith National Player of the Week (1/5)
  • AP National Player of the Week (2/24)
  • USBWA co-National Player of the Week (2/24)
  • Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandy of the Week (12/5)
  • Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandy of the Week (1/5)
  • Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandy of the Week (2/16)
  • NCAA March Madness National Freshman of the Week (1/5)
  • CBS Sports National Freshman of the Week (1/6)
  • CBS Sports National Freshman of the Week (2/24)

SEC WEEKLY HONORS

  • Freshman of the Week (12/8)
  • Freshman of the Week (12/15)
  • Freshman of the Week (12/22)
  • Freshman of the Week (1/5)
  • Freshman of the Week (1/12)
  • Freshman of the Week (1/26)
  • Freshman of the Week (2/16)
  • Player of the Week (2/23)

For more­­ information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.

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