John Calipari has coached an impressive lineup of college guards who went on to do big things in the NBA. Here is the list: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, De’Aaron Fox, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey, Derrick Rose, Tyler Herro, Tyreke Evans, John Wall.
So, he knows a thing or two about NBA guards.
And he is currently the head coach of the University of Arkansas, where he coached Darius Acuff Jr. last season. Recently, Calipari spoke about newest member of the Sacramento Kings.
He shared a story that sheds some light on the type of mentality Acuff has.
“Darius walked in, we just lost to Alabama. I had four guys fouled out of the game. I’m playing with two guys the last overtime that hadn’t played all year. He’s trying to will us to win. His foot is so bad, he scores 49 … I said listen, ‘You should take the next game off.’ He was in a boot. We were playing Missouri at home. He looks at me and he said, ‘Do you know we lost?’ And he got up and left. Like, I’m not sitting out we just lost a game. You don’t want that? You don’t want a guy that he is going to give you everything he has?”
Arkansas lost that game to Alabama 117-115 in double overtime. Acuff played 50 minutes, finishing with 49 points on 16-27 from the field and 6-10 from three.
Of course Calipari, who also said he thinks Acuff will come into the league and average 18 points and 8 rebounds, is going to play up the guy he coached. But the story he told is a good sign for the things that matter about a player’s mindset. The things that show up outside of what they can do with a ball. The will to win.
That is a good thing. Sacramento wants that.
We’ll have more on the Kings newest player throughout the week.
I’m surprised to see so many fans not being happy with the pick.
In five years Acuff could be the best player from this draft and it would not be a surprise.
After choking away a top 4 pick with meaningless wins down the stretch and losing the coin toss to UTA, the team still wound up with a top 3 pick talent.
The floor is empty stats scorer whilst the cieling is Dame/Brunson. I’ll take those odds with a kid who seems to be all about winning and hard work.
I’m fine with the pick. I thought it could come down to him or Flemings and it did. But I’m also realistic in my expectations. Saying he’s a top 3 talent is a bit much as he was there at #7 and was the 4th guard chosen. Time will tell, and a lot of it will come down to Perry putting the right guys around him.
To your point that his floor is an empty stats scorer, yeah, that is what worries me as this franchise has a knack of bringing those kind of guys to the roster. Acuff is very much a Vivek type pick/acquisition. Lets hope the trend doesn’t continue and Acuff is in fact elite at many facets of the game.
The pick was either Acuff or Flemings, toss up pick for sure. I’m just glad the pick was one of those two and not some out of left field selection the Kings are known for. But I do believe he is a top 3 talent in this draft. Time will tell but I’m high on this kid.
As to Nodaclu,
100 percent agree. SP is not prioritizing D with his moves, as witnessed by his four draft selections and retaining DC who clearly doesn’t know how to coach D.
SP is a smooth talker that doesn’t seem to do what he preaches.
And IMO knows what he is doing.The proof will be in the pudding.GO KINGS!
Of course he can be a top 3 talent even if taken 7 . Curry was 7, Nash 15, SGA 11, Brunson 33 . Redoing their drafts would easily put them in top 3 .
I should clarify, declaring him a top 3 talent TODAY is a stretch. He might be someday, but not yet.
I’m just hoping that he is better than Flemings, who seemed like the more multi-dimensional player with a higher floor. Flemings would have been a fine pick, but not as flashy,
I think it’s less about Acuff specifically, and more about this franchise saying one thing, doing the opposite, and seemingly having no plan.
For years the team has de-prioritized defense, despite both Mike Brown and Doug Christie saying it was going to be a vital part of the plan going forward.
Then they bring in Westbrook, who plays no defense.
Then they trade for Lavine, who, well, we saw enough of that, didn’t we?
Then they draft Acuff, who appears to be a bright, shiny lamppost on D.
And they follow up with Karaban, who doesn’t seem to have the athleticism to defend at the next level.
I’m just sick of watching this franchise say one thing, do another, flail and flounder, while putting forth an arrogant public face. It’s incredibly off-putting as a 40+ year fan.
To be fair, LaVine is gone after this season and Westbrook will also probably be gone if they resign him after 1 or 2 years. Also, Karaban was a pretty decent defender in college.
I had Flemings over Acuff on my list, but I 100% get anyone that had Acuff as high as 5th on their list, and he may absolutely be the “big swing” that this organization, at this time, needs to make. I look forward to seeing him play in a Kings uni. And for what it’s worth, Flemings should thrive playing with a couple of up tempo rim runners like Johnson and Kuminga. Add in NAW, McCollum, Daniels and Okongwu, and the Hawks may become my favorite-to-watch Eastern Conference team.
I think this pick will define Perry’s career with the Kings. Should Fleming thrive in ATL and even surpass Acuff in talent and accomplishments then Perry will be forever known as the guy who passed on Flemings after 2 meetings with the him.
The Kings had private workouts with both Acuff and Flemings, so Perry had better be right on this. It’s not like he to to pick from Acuff and Brown Jr, who happened to cancel his workout with the Kings.
I have no idea who it’s going to be, but there is someone like Carr or Philon (or Stirtz because Presti is a sneaky bastard) that is going to make a lot of GMs look foolish. Also, love that SA doubled down on getting beef around Wemby (Quaintance and Reed).
You take your chances with the better offensive player and a guy that can score multiple ways.
100% agreed– he had enough time to compare the two and will be defined by this choice.
I love their young core. Moving off Trae invigorated this franchise.
The East is going to be a blood bath next season.
i wonder why the negative King’s are already unhappy with Acuff? He hsn’t even played one second for you guys and you have already have him buried. So sad.
You guys?
It’s not about Acuff specifically. Not for me, anyway.
Basketball is equal parts offense and defense, and the Kings show repeatedly, year after year, in every single decision they make, that they have absolutely zero understanding of this.
I hope Acuff is amazingly successful. I doubt it will be in Sacramento though, because this organization, from top to bottom, seems to have no understanding whatsoever about how to build a balanced, successful roster.
And this isn’t my opinion. There are roughly 20 YEARS of actual Kings games, on the arena floor, that show this to be true.
What is it with you and all the negative policing? People have their opinions. If you don’t agree, make a logical argument against it. Or just enjoy the thread.
Because they buy into this BS that he’s a defensive liability. I doubt most of the critics have ever seen him play. Curry, Brunson, Doncic, and the Joker have all been tabbed as players who can’t play defense, if you watch closely, all of those guys are capable defenders in crunch time. They are asked to do so much on the offensive end they selectively pick their times to play defense. His defense will not be an issue. What kind of NBA player he becomes is to be determined but his career trajectory will not be determined because he’s a defensive liability.
The silver lining here is I’m convinced even if we had the #3 pick, the Kings would have still picked up Acuff. Now that we got him with the #7, that means we save a little cap space and Vivek can save a bit more money, being the penny-pincher he is. Basketball 3.0, baby!
Haha
Picking Acuff at 3 could have been very close to picking Bagley at 2. Wilson might be viewed as at least the second or third best player in the draft after year 1. It would be a bit shocking to see Boozer not be the third or fourth best player in the draft.
In 3 years Acuff may prove to be the best in this draft . Jokic was 41, Giannis was14, and SGA 11. Each has proven to be the best of their drafts . Happens most drafts .
I’m excited. It was either Acuff or Flemings but Jerry likes Acuff and said he has the most star potential. That’s enough for me. I’m a bit more mixed on Karaban but we’ll see how he shakes out. At least he’s a long wing who can shoot and pass. I think we still have the 45th pick from Charlotte right? Hopefully we get an athletic defensive player.
Cash Considerations is still available. He’s projected right around #45.
Either big or small is okay with me. Brasile or Conwell. Miller gone at I think #34.
I’m have heard rumors that the Raptors are again looking at Sabonis.
Our dear old friend.
He’s money.
Dishing out those dimes.
On this roster he just makes cents.
He brings it all four quarters.
My two crushes at 45 are Trevor Brazile and Jaden Bradley.
Brazile looks good. Prior ACL injury but looks like he’s well past that. Also, teammates with Acuff so that’d be good for chemistry.
I 100% agree with Jerry. Acuff might turn into a star. I don’t get that vibe from Flemming’s. As I said, previously, he didn’t even compare himself to such.
Flemming’s might be good but a cuff is the shot that the kings have to take.
They are such a fucked up organization. Their only hope is accidentally landing a star. Flemming is not gonna be that. I don’t think. He may very well be a high-quality player that would be good on a team with other one and two options.
The problem again is that I don’t think Doug has any ability to develop Acuff. Would be nice if they had a real coach.
but this is the kind of thing, like Halliburton, or maybe you’ve landed something good.
Of course it’s probably more likely the king’s will fuck it up or trade him anyway. :))
Not a stretch to say that a handful of days into a rebuild, the Bucks already have a better, more exciting young core than we do lmao.
Ware
Burries
Dieng
Kasaparas
Jaime
Ament
And they may flip Herro for even more youth…and he’s only 26!
I don’t think there’s any NBA team in a worse roster situation than the Kings, and it isn’t close.
While I agree, give the Blazers a couple of years with the new ownership group, and we may have company.
Not even Vivek is stupid/crazy enough to hire a new coach on a 1-year contract.
Absolute insanity going on over there.
My favorite day 1 fits (non-Kings):
Flemings – As I noted elsewhere, just a great landing spot for him in Atlanta. The Hawks could be a lot of fun to watch.
Mara – Nice working with you, Isiah Hartenstein. How does a WC finalist and 2025 NBA champion land such a player? Sam Presti.
Stirtz – The Thunder traded into this pick, and if Presti wanted him that badly, it speaks volumes.
Quaintance and Reed – Also noted elsewhere, but the takeaway from this year’s playoff run for San Antonio was that they needed to add some beef around Wemby. Said and done.
Philon – He will have time to grow into an NBA player behind Maxey and Edgecombe. Just a nice spot to be in for him.
Cenac – Boston just has a way of getting the most out of their talent, and I can see Cenac thriving there.
I think you are bringing up an excellent point about fit, which Jerry often brings up as well. Not necessarily positional fit on a team, but organizational and its system being one that the player can easily develop in.
Flemings being the best example. Younger team, fast pace, smart coach, great wings to run with, and no franchise savior burden on him.
I think the talent/skill level that can overcome being drafted into a poor fit with a franchise is more rare than it is common, even in the lottery. Hopefully Acuff can find his lane in a roster system that is a bit of a clean slate personality wise, though “clean slate” is doing some heavy work there and directionless might be a more apt adjective.
Agree that Kingston has a much simpler task as a rookie . He has a legit star in Johnson to play with and a proven coach . Acuff has to be the star and overcome the coach . Tough road ahead .
Honestly, the bar here is not to do something bafflingly stupid. Just since Perry came on board:
Perry’s hiring process (Vivek doing no interviews, negotiating while the other guy was employed) was stupid.Signing Schroder at double his value was stupid.Salary dumping Schroder for more salary was stupid.The Kings didn’t do anything stupid (Ja Morant) yesterday, so I’ll take it. It doesn’t change my mind, but I’ll take Vivek not running into the wrong end zone any time I can get it with this team.
This. We have been reduced to celebrating a lack of stupidity. This does not dampen my excitement of seeing Acuff and Karaban, but it is telling that we abandoned the thought of brilliance long ago and have replaced it with hoping / praying / begging for just plain cromulent action. That in and of itself embiggens us.
So far I’ve been a fan of both Perry’s drafts but I was not a fan of his free agency/trades. We’ll see how this summer goes.
Agree ???? I think Flemming is safer. But this Kings team really needs a star. And I think Acuff has a much better chance to be that. The reason we are all freaking out is defense has been our issue forever. And that’s the danger with him. But for all the people saying we need an alpha. This was our best shot. Flemming has pros and cons. But I don’t see anyone suggesting he has a shot of being the best at anything in this league
Not saying Acuff will. But he has a much great chance.
Those werent questions marks. That was a 100% emoji. But I mean it gives me plausible deniability.
I’ll give him props for Maxi, but Nique is a long way from calling it a success.
About Nique. As an old coach I see a lot of good things in is game. Defense, reading the floor, getting a better handle on his confidence, starting to improve on his shooting, hgh IQ, and some intangibles like a good teammate,willing to listen to improve. Also a good rebounder for his size and getting better as an offside defender. I would not be surprised to see him even start this season. Don’t do comparisons but instead evaluate only the player. He deserves that much.
Barring injuries, I don’t see a scenario where he starts ahead of LaVine / Acuff / Hunter / Murray. He was playing incrementally better as he adjusted to the strength and speed of the NBA game.
Jury’s still out, but I’m not nearly ready to write him off (or elevate him to NBA starter).
The 29th and 45th picks could have been more athletic, lengthy, defensive-minded guys, but we chose players that were reaches (based on draft boards and potential). These picks suggest that Perry is an average drafter I and assessor of talent at best. Max fell too us and was an obvious pick, but Nique seems to have been a bit of a reach. Hopefully Nique will shoot the 3 better and have a higher overall FG % to go with some assists, blocks, and steals. I would give him a B- (at best) over the last two drafts and I really hope that I am wrong.
Agreed on Reynaud. Can’t argue against acquiring a rotation backup big with some additional potential as a second round pick. Clifford didn’t show me much, but you have to have realistic expectations for guys picked in the 20s. The great majority of them won’t do much in the NBA.
That is what my Nick’s Fan friends have told me. Perry is terrible at free agency. I think he signed Julius Randall to a huge deal among other things. But he drafts OK.
It is really hard because this owner is such a fucking dead weight around this franchise. I wish he’d just get lost.
But at the very least, it will be exciting to watch a cuff play
I can relate to this not only as a Kings fan but also as a Raider fan. The Raiders finally seem to have turned the corner and seem to be operating with competency, and it’s under the same owner that the incompetency took place…so I can only hope that under Vivek we somehow become a competent franchise. Because there’s no other choice, Vivek ain’t selling the team.
Agreed. But I always felt like Davis just handed the reins to the wrong people. While Vivek wants to drive no matter who he hires.
I always felt like Davis’ barber was making the decisions.
You must be some kind of prophet but still calling others stupid makes you cartoon character.
There was at least 3 other FA “stupids” Scooter he’s made that you didn’t list. I’m not trying to correct you, just saying that you’re not even listing all the mistakes. Scooter P is absolutely terrible at the acquisition game. Egregiously terrible, even, to the point its somewhat baffling he’s allowed to make decisions that affect the cap sheet at all.
Is it bad that I’m excited for Acuff, not because he’ll be able to take us to the promised land of deep playoff runs, but to have something that’s not tired vets chasing their own stats while everything burns in Basketball Hell? Probably a reflection that the bar is subterranean at this point, but given how this is the Kings and we’ve failed to clear that bar…
No to Westbrook
FWIW, Acuff has opened with the 4th best odds to win ROY honors this season, behind Boozer, Dybantsa and Peterson:
https://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/nba/rookie-of-the-year-odds-predictions-favorites-sleepers-2026/
Badge Legend