Sacramento Kings select Darius Acuff Jr. with 7th pick in NBA Draft

Darius Acuff Jr. is officially a Sacramento King.

With the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Sacramento selected Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr., ending months of speculation that consistently connected the talented guard to the Kings.

From the conclusion of March Madness through draft night, Acuff remained the name most frequently linked to Sacramento, and the organization made it increasingly clear in the weeks leading up to the draft that he was their preferred choice at seventh.

The Kings hosted Acuff for a private workout last week, further fueling the belief that Sacramento had identified the Arkansas standout as the player they hoped would headline their draft class.

Acuff also shares a unique connection with general manager Scott Perry, who coached Acuff’s father, Darius Acuff Sr., at Eastern Kentucky University during the 1990s.

More on Darius Acuff Jr.

Coming off a sensational freshman season, Darius Acuff Jr. entered the draft as one of the most decorated prospects available. He averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 44 percent from three-point range, earning SEC Player of the Year, SEC Rookie of the Year, and Consensus All-American honors.

Now, the Kings hope those accomplishments translate to the NBA.

In the aftermath of last season’s De’Aaron Fox trade, Sacramento entered the offseason searching for a long-term answer at the point guard position.

Darius Acuff’s combination of scoring ability, playmaking, and shot creation made him an attractive option for a franchise looking to build around a young floor general.

While there will undoubtedly be pressure that comes with being a top-10 pick–not to mention at a time when this team is seeking a new face of the franchise–the Kings believe they have landed a player capable of leading the next era of basketball in Sacramento.

After months of rumors and mounting expectations, Sacramento officially got its guy.

Darius Acuff Jr. Scouting Report

Courtesy of NBA Draft Room

Darius Acuff Jr. is a special talent. His skill level and feel for the game are off the charts, and he dominates the pace of play and looks to be in total control of the game when he’s on the court.

He’s got an uncanny feel for shaking defenders off balance and is nearly impossible to keep out of the lane. Can drive with either hand and has overall great ball-handling ability. He might be the best ball handler in the draft.

He’s a tough shot maker who knows how to create space with the dribble and get into side-steps and step-backs. While he might not be a true marksman or purest shooter, he’s been hitting shots at a very high clip and is a major threat from downtown. His growth and improvement in his outside shot have been impressive.

Isn’t the biggest point guard and isn’t much of an above-the-rim player. He’s a great finisher who knows how to finish over and around length in the lane, and he doesn’t need to play above the rim to be very effective.

He’s mainly a one-position defender who can occasionally guard wings but is mostly going to match up against opposing point guards. Moves his feet well, has very quick hands, and seems to take a lot of pride in his defense.

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What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The Sacramento Kings will now set their sights on Day 2 of the 2026 NBA Draft, with action set to resume on Wednesday night in Brooklyn, New York.

Sacramento owns the 45th pick in the second round after trading the 34th pick in return for No. 29, which they used on UConn forward Alex Karaban.

Last season, the Kings drafted center Maxime Raynaud with the 42nd pick. Raynaud went on to earn NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.

Be sure to remain locked into Sactown Sports for your Sacramento Kings Draft analysis, breaking news, and much more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Wednesday, June 24th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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