US EditionArkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. Is Named AP Men's College Basketball Player of the Week
Darius Acuff Jr. scored a program-record 49 points in a double-overtime game against Alabama and followed with 20 points vs Missouri, earning AP Player of the Week honors.
- Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. earned the Associated Press national player of the week after scoring 49 points in a 117-115 double-overtime loss at Alabama on Feb. 18, 2026.
- Playing all 50 minutes, Darius Acuff Jr. overcame a walking boot he wore for two days before the game, with Arkansas coach John Calipari saying, `He was in a boot for two days and still did that`.
- Efficiency showed in his shooting splits as Acuff posted a 16-of-27 FG, 6-of-10 3PT, 11-of-12 FT stat line with five rebounds, five assists and one turnover.
- The performance boosted Acuff's draft profile as the Arkansas star should be the favorite in the SEC Player of the Year conversation if the season ended today.
- The performance also carried historic weight as Acuff broke Todd Day’s 1992 Arkansas program record and was only the second Calipari-coached player to score at least 40 points, following Malik Monk’s 47 in 2016.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Acuff Adds National Honors From AP, USBWA and CBS Sports
FAYETTEVILLE – Darius Acuff Jr. has added national Player of the Week honors from the AP and USBWA as well as earning national Freshman of the Week honors from CBS Sports, to go along with his SEC Player of the Week honor. Acuff averaged 34.5 points, 5.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds in games versus #25 Alabama and Missouri. He scored 49 points at Alabama and 20 versus Missouri. Acuff beat out AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Cameron Boozer (Duke) and Donovan Dent…
AP College Basketball Players of the Week: Arkansas' Acuff, Iowa's Heiden
The Associated Press announced its national players of the week in men's and women's basketball for Week 16 of the season. On the men's basketball side: Darius Acuff Jr., No. 20 Arkansas The 6-foot-3 freshman guard and high-end NBA prospect had an all-timer of a performance in a 117-115 double-overtime loss at then-No. 25 Alabama, scoring 49 points to set an Arkansas single-game freshman record as well as the No. 2 total in program history by an…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
