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One Breakout Player to Watch on the Kings' Team in 2026
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Darius Acuff Jr. hasn't played a regular-season game for the Sacramento Kings yet, but there's already plenty of excitement surrounding what he could bring to the franchise.
That's what happens when you're selected seventh overall and arrive with a reputation as one of the most polished offensive guards in your draft class.
The expectations are real, but so is the opportunity.
Acuff put together an outstanding college season at Arkansas, averaging 23 points and more than six assists while showing he could score from just about anywhere on the floor. Whether it was pulling up from deep, getting into the mid-range, or attacking the basket, he looked comfortable creating offense against just about every defense he faced.
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That versatility is one of the biggest reasons Sacramento believes he can make an immediate impact.
His shooting may be the quickest skill to translate. Connecting on 44% of his three-point attempts in college isn't something defenses can ignore, especially on a Kings team that likes to keep the floor spaced and the ball moving. If defenders close out too aggressively, Acuff has the handle and creativity to make them pay.
He also carried that confidence into Summer League.
Acuff wasted little time showing why he was one of the top guards in the draft, flashing smooth ball-handling, wowing shot creation and the kind of poise that's hard to teach. Summer League performances always come with the usual disclaimer, but it's still encouraging when a rookie looks comfortable instead of overwhelmed.
The biggest adjustment will be learning how to produce against NBA defenses every night. That's a challenge every young guard faces, but Acuff's ability to score at all three levels gives him a solid foundation as he makes that transition.
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The Kings won't need him to carry the offense from day one. They'll simply need him to bring energy, create opportunities when the ball is in his hands and continue building confidence as the season unfolds.
If he keeps progressing the way he has over the past year, Acuff has a legitimate chance to become one of the breakout rookies of the season and another exciting piece of Sacramento's young core.
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