What Darius Acuff Jr. showed in his first Kings action

The 2026 California Classic provided the first look at Darius Acuff Jr. playing for the Sacramento Kings, where he fought through rough stretches to come up big late.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Jul 7, 2026, 5:00 PM Updated: 10:40 pm

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The 2026 California Classic provided the first look at Darius Acuff Jr., who the Sacramento Kings selected seventh overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Plenty of eyes were on their projected point guard of the future and the clearest centerpiece of the organization’s new direction.

Summer League always requires the proper context. The spacing is imperfect, decision-making can get loose, and players are playing over the top, trying to prove they belong in the league.

Acuff was clearly treated as Sacramento’s top offensive option from the moment he stepped on the floor, and he was defended that way as well.

Alex Karaban, the Kings’ 29th overall pick, did not participate after suffering a right ankle sprain during a practice scrimmage. Emanuel Sharp, selected 45th overall, also played during the event, while second-year players Nique Clifford and Dylan Cardwell had their moments.

But, for now, let’s focus on what Acuff showed in his first two games in a Kings (Summer League) jersey.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 04: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a technical foul shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Golden 1 Center on July 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a technical foul shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half in the California Classic an NBA Summer League game at Golden 1 Center on July 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Darius Acuff Jr. in the California Classic

It’s no surprise that Acuff was the star of the show for fans who showed up at Golden 1 Center or watched from home. From the moment Sacramento selected him seventh overall, he became the most important player in this Summer League environment.

In the two games he played during the event, Acuff didn’t shy away from shooting, and defenders clearly treated him as the biggest threat on the roster.

His first game, Sacramento’s opener against the Brooklyn Nets, was the definition of a slow start. Acuff started the game 1/8 from the field and didn’t make his first triple until late in the fourth quarter. Known as a tough shot maker, Acuff is already learning how much slimmer those margins become against better size and length. That will only be amplified once the regular season comes around.

Acuff settled for some difficult jumpers and often saw two defenders when coming off screens. At times, it looked like he was forcing the issue. “I was getting rushed a little bit, something I don’t normally do,” Acuff said postgame.

“I think I was just moving too fast,” he continued. “Nobody was making me move that fast. I think I was just, in my mind, ready to go and try to attack from the start, and should have paced it out a little more to start. But it got easier over the game.”

That was apparent, as the Kings’ new centerpiece hit a big three late before calling for an isolation opportunity as the final seconds wound down in a tie game. Noticing a defender helping off Clifford just a short pass away, he gave it up and watched his teammate hit the game-winner.

Summer League game winner for Nique Clifford!

Huge transition stop from Jonathan Mogbo and Emanuel Sharp right before too. pic.twitter.com/4vHydp7Du0

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) July 4, 2026

For a young guard coming off a high-volume, inefficient scoring night, that final decision was one of the more encouraging moments of his debut, even if it wasn’t a particularly impressive read.

He ended the game with 25 points and three assists in 30 minutes, but shot just 9/29 from the field. That was more field goal attempts than he attempted in any game during his freshman season at Arkansas, including his memorable 49-point double overtime performance.

As he acknowledged postgame, it was the first time playing in a game since March, and he bounced back well in his next outing. Given the fact that Sacramento played on three consecutive nights, Acuff sat out the second game before returning for the finale against Milwaukee.

It was a different story, as he was the one to get the scoring started that night, en route to 22 points and three assists in the win. He was more efficient from the field, shooting 7-of-19, and hit a tough stepback three to give Sacramento a six-point lead with 23 seconds left to play, securing his team’s 3-0 finish.

pov acuff game-sealing 3 from every angle 🤩 pic.twitter.com/3QpyatQ0X3

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) July 7, 2026

Overall, Acuff played about as expected. He functioned as a high-volume scorer, looked like a young guard adjusting to the speed and physicality of the next level, and still found ways to create advantages for teammates.

Defensively, the results were mixed but encouraging. Acuff was taken out of plays by screens at times, which was one of the concerns from his Arkansas tape, but the effort level looked better than advertised.

“I think he’s a winning player, and he isn’t shying away from that side of the floor,” Kings Summer League head coach Chris Darnell said of Acuff’s defense following their final win. “He’s somebody that wants to take the challenge. He’s super coachable.”

The early flashes were easy to see, as were the areas for continued growth. For Sacramento, both matter as Acuff heads to Las Vegas with two professional games behind him.

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

With the California Classic in the rearview, the Sacramento Kings will head to the desert for the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, with action set to tip off on Thursday night at UNLV.

Sacramento is set to face the fifth-overall pick, Keaton Wagler, and the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night 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!