Darius Acuff Jr. just firmly put himself on Grizzlies' radar with SEC title run

Darius Acuff Jr. is having a special freshman season at Arkansas and has put himself in the conversation as one of the best guards to ever play for John Calipari. It is clear that he is one of the top offensive players of the 2026 NBA Draft, and his SEC tournament run is already turning heads in Memphis.

Today, Arkansas just won the SEC tournament for the first time since 2000 by beating Vanderbilt 86-75. It was a well-rounded performance for the Razorbacks as they got strong contributions from Billy Richmond III and Trevon Brazile. However, it was Darius Acuff Jr. who stole the show against Vanderbilt.

Acuff Jr. had 30 points, 3 rebounds, and 11 assists in the championship game and overall had a great showing in the SEC tournament. It was a dominant display all tournament, as he averaged 30.3 points and 7.7 assists in just three games. Acuff Jr. has a special blend of shot creation and playmaking that should allow him to become a successful offensive player in the NBA right away.

Acuff Jr. is another option that could succeed Ja Morant

It is evident how loaded the 2026 NBA Draft is, but there are multiple guards that the Grizzlies could end up considering in the top 8. Players such as Kingston Flemings and Mikel Brown Jr. are logical targets, but Darius Acuff Jr. should also join the conversation of guards the Grizzlies should consider drafting.

Heading into the SEC Championship game. Acuff Jr. was averaging 22.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in 32 games. It is clear the shot-making talent he possesses, as he was shooting 43.7% from three and had a 60.5 TS%. If the Grizzlies end up trading Ja Morant this summer, the Grizzlies will need a quality shot creator and playmaker, and Acuff Jr. thrives in both roles.

There are concerns but his potential is clear

Because Acuff Jr. is listed at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, there will understandably be concerns about selecting a smaller guard so high in the draft. Acuff Jr. has also had some struggles defensively and has not really had the defensive playmaking fans would hope for. However, it is important to note that Acuff Jr. has played with an injured ankle, which could be impacting his defensive game.

Acuff Jr.'s offensive game should definitely translate at the NBA level, as he is already a great three-level scorer despite the concerns about his size. His strength and change of pace off the dribble have allowed him to still get to the paint and create separation. Overall, the shotmaking and playmaking should 100% make him a high-level player regardless of size and defensive concerns.

Christopher Kline of FanSided had Darius Acuff Jr. going to Milwaukee 11th overall in a recent mock draft. However, it is starting to look much more likely that Acuff Jr. will end up being selected inside the top 10. It remains to be seen which pick the Grizzlies end up getting, but Darius Acuff Jr. is a strong choice to succeed Ja Morant in Memphis if he is available.