The Sacramento Kings selected guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall pick [1] in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday evening [2].
The selection marks a significant addition to the Kings' roster as they look to capitalize on Acuff Jr.'s momentum following a historic freshman campaign at Arkansas [4]. His arrival in Sacramento provides the team with a high-ceiling prospect capable of immediate impact in the backcourt.
The draft took place in New York, where the Kings secured the former Cass Tech star [2]. Acuff Jr. enters the professional ranks as the ninth player in the history of the Arkansas program to be selected as a top-10 pick [3].
Scouts and analysts said his performance during his first year of college was the primary driver for his high draft stock [4]. The Kings' decision to use a top-10 selection on the guard suggests a commitment to youth and offensive versatility.
Acuff Jr. joins a league that continues to value the immediate production of elite freshman guards. By selecting him seventh overall [1], Sacramento has positioned him as a core piece of their future rotation.
“The Sacramento Kings selected guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall pick”
The selection of Darius Acuff Jr. underscores a growing trend of NBA teams drafting collegiate freshmen with high usage rates and immediate scoring capabilities. For the Sacramento Kings, this move indicates a strategic shift toward integrating young, dynamic playmakers who can transition quickly from the college game to professional rotations.
