DeMarcus Cousins is excited for the Kings’ future with Darius Acuff Jr.

Former Sacramento Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins believes the franchise may have found its next cornerstone in Darius Acuff Jr.

Appearing on Prime Video’s broadcast during the Kings’ NBA Summer League matchup against the Washington Wizards in Las Vegas, Cousins praised Sacramento’s seventh overall pick and didn’t hold back when discussing the rookie’s potential.

The endorsement carries extra weight considering the connection between the two players, as both are members of John Calipari’s coaching tree.

Cousins starred under Calipari at Kentucky in 2009-10, while Acuff spent his recent freshman season playing for the Hall of Fame coach at Arkansas.

“I’m a huge fan,” Cousins said. “Obviously, he’s part of that Calipari family, so he’s extended family. Even though he’s an Arkansas Razorback or whatever the case may be, I’m a huge fan from afar.”

More on Darius Acuff Jr.

The four-time NBA All-Star believes Darius Acuff Jr. has all the tools to become a foundational player for Sacramento’s future.

“Super talented kid,” Cousins said. “I think he’s a franchise-changing type of player.”

That’s lofty praise coming from one of the most accomplished players in Kings history.

Cousins spent seven seasons in Sacramento after being selected fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, earning three All-Star selections with the franchise while averaging 21.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across 470 games before being traded to New Orleans in 2017.

Acuff enters the NBA after one of the most decorated freshman seasons in college basketball. The Arkansas standout averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc, earning SEC Player of the Year, SEC Rookie of the Year and Consensus All-American honors before the Kings selected him with the 7th overall pick in last month’s 2026 NBA Draft.

Cousins also expressed optimism about the organization’s direction under general manager Scott Perry, believing the environment is set up for Acuff to thrive.

Kings GM Scott Perry with rookies Darius Acuff Jr., Emanuel Sharp & Alex Karaban

“I’m excited for the Kings. I’m excited for his future,” Cousins said. “I think he’s in a good position as far as with management. Scott Perry has come in, they’ve taken over. I look forward to everything moving on up for this group.”

While it’s still early in Acuff’s NBA career, Cousins sees the rookie as capable of making a significant impact on a franchise looking to build its next contender.

“I’m excited to see him perform on a nightly basis,” Cousins said. “I think we got a star in the making.”

If Cousins’ evaluation proves accurate, Darius Acuff Jr. could become the centerpiece of Sacramento’s next era.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

Darius Acuff Jr. & the Sacramento Kings will continue their Las Vegas Summer League slate on Tuesday afternoon at UNLV when they play the first game of a back-to-back.

Sacramento is set to face the sixth-overall pick, Mikel Brown Jr., and the Brooklyn Nets at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sactown Sports will be ON SITE in Las Vegas ALL WEEK LONG from July 12-19th! Be sure to remain locked into Sactown Sports for your Sacramento Kings Summer League news, analysis, and much more!

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• Thursday, July 9th – Sunday, July 19th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League
• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

2026 Sacramento Kings Las Vegas Summer League Schedule

• Tuesday, July 14: vs. Brooklyn Nets – 3 p.m. PT (Prime Video)
• Wednesday, July 15: vs. Boston Celtics – 5 p.m. PT (ESPN 2)
• Final game TBD

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on X/Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related

Why Zach LaVine Could Have Trade Value Next SeasonA’s Injury Report: Nick Kurtz lands on IL as Athletics’ Injury List grows49ers’ Special Teams Coach reacts to Deebo Samuel reunion: ‘He’s a Difference Maker’Madden 27: George Kittle remains among NFL’s elite TE’s despite Achilles injuryFaithful Flashbacks #27: Trading for Christian McCaffreyHave the Giants officially entered a rebuild?