Darius Acuff Jr. Makes the Naismith National Player of the Year Watch List

FAYETTEVILLE – Razorback guard Darius Acuff Jr. has been named 1 of 50 players – and 1 of 7 freshmen – to the 2025-26 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List Presented by AXIA Time, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Acuff has received several preseason honors this season, including:

• Naismith National Player of the Year Watch List (1 of 50)
• Bob Cousy Award Watch List (1 of 20)
• Andy Katz’s Top 10 NCAA Freshmen
• Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandies (1 of 5 National Impact Freshmen)
• All-SEC third team (Coaches)

Coming out of high school, Acuff was the top-ranked point guard in the nation by 247Sports and ESPN and one of the top 10 players of the 2025 recruiting class. He also compiled the following honors this past season:

• 2025 Allen Iverson National Player of the Year
• 2025 EYBL Scholastic Player of the Year
• 1 of 5 Finalists for the 2025 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Player of the Year
• 1 of 10 Finalists for the MaxPreps National Player of the Year
• 2025 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Boys High School All-America (1st Team)
• 2025 McDonald’s All-American
• 2025 Jordan Brand Classic
• 2025 Iverson Classic All-American Game (MVP)
• 2025 USA Nike Hoop Summit team

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