The 2026 NBA Draft conversation has largely centered around a handful of familiar names, with several prospects consistently linked to the No. 1 overall selection.
Evaluations have continued as teams assess talent ahead of June, with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer the three prospects in the conversation to hear their name first come June's event.
All of those three have regularly been mentioned among the top options for the upcoming draft, forming a consensus "tier one" group in contention for the first pick.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, however, threw another name into the conversation while appearing in "The Ryen Russillo Show" on Tuesday, expressing his surprise at not finding one particular prospect in such talk.
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“Darius Acuff Jr. at Arkansas is the real deal,” Bilas said. “Like, that guy—I’m a little surprised he’s not talked about as a No. 1 pick option. But whoever gets him is getting a killer.”
Acuff’s production during the 2025 college basketball season supports Bilas' assessment: the Arkansas guard finished the year averaging 23.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 44% from three-point range.
The freshman also delivered standout performances late in the season, including a 49-point game against Alabama on Feb. 18 and a strong NCAA Tournament run in which he scored 60 points across his first two games.
Acuff earned SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, along with recognition as a consensus First-Team All-American and many other honors throughout his lone season at Arkansas.
Despite all of those accolades and his strong production, Acuff is currently projected outside the aforementioned top tier of prospects, with ESPN's latest mock draft having him going to the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 7 overall pick.
The 2026 NBA Draft will take place June 25, with ESPN currently ranking Acuff as the No. 8 best prospect entering the upcoming draft.
