Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. announced Wednesday on ESPN's "NBA Today" that he is entering the 2026 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-3 point guard is currently ranked the sixth-best prospect available, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo.

"With that being said, I'm going to be declaring for the 2026 NBA draft," Acuff said.

Acuff had a record-setting freshman campaign with the Razorbacks, earning SEC Player of the Year honors and a spot on the Associated Press All-America first team. He averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 44% from three-point range, leading Arkansas to the Sweet 16.

The announcement continues a notable pattern under coach John Calipari. Derrick Rose, John Wall, De'Aaron Fox, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are among the lottery picks who developed under Calipari at Memphis and Kentucky. Acuff cited that track record as a factor in his decision to sign with Arkansas.

NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson also played a formative role in Acuff's development and style of play. The two have built a relationship in recent months.

"We've got a lot of similarities. He's one of the reasons I got cornrows, so he inspired me a lot," Acuff said. "He always told me to just play every game like it's your last."

Acuff said watching Tuesday's Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets playoff game reinforced his ambitions at the next level.

"I see myself there, for sure. That's one of my goals," he said.