Calipari bringing Razorbacks exactly what folks were hoping to see

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is getting exactly what they expected when big donors made the commitment to hire John Calipari away from Kentucky. He”s already done well from a zero-starting point.

Now he’s starting to stockpile some of the best players for the future. That haoppened Friday afternoon when they picked up a commitment from Darius Acuff. The No 1 point guard for the 2025 cycle (fourth overall) picked the Razorbacks over Kansas and Michigan. He had already eliminated two-time national champion UConn from the mix.

He’s the third-highest rated Arkansas commitment in the modern recruiting rankings era, just behind Nick Smith Jr. (2022) and Al Jefferson (2004). The 6-3, 180-pound, Detroit native has been high on Calipari’s list and was the first 2025 player to take an official visit in May.

At the Nike EYBL Peach Jam event in North Augusta (S.C.), he averaged 20 points, three rebounds and three assists while shooting 48% from the field and 43% from deep. At the event, Acuff spoke to 247Sports’ Recruiting Analyst Brandon Jenkins about his recruitment.

“My official visit went well. I have a good relationship with John Calipari,” Acuff told Jenkins. “I took a visit to Kentucky and I took a visit to Arkansas. Nothing was different but the schools. It was a great visit. Coach Cal is a great guard coach. Most of his guards are in the league.”

Earlier in the summer, he was also named MVP of the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in June, leading USA to a gold medal by going for 26 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and three steals in the championship game against Argentina.

Reading the scouting reports, maybe the best thing from a point guard is hearing that his best talent is making those around him better. It’s what the best point guards do. Scoring is a bonus and nobody’s going to turn that down at any time.

Like we said earlier, Calipari has hit the ground at full speed, which is exactly what fans were hoping to see.