NBA Comparison: Tim Hardaway / Damian Lillard

Strengths: Acuff Jr. is a 6’3 185 PG with a 6’5.5 wingspan and a sturdy build and nice length and strength for his position, and his frame allows him to play bigger than his height may suggest … He also is a very good athlete on the perimeter who exhibits nice body control, speed and quickness for NBA standards as well as decent leaping skills to boot … Agile; wastes very little body movement and is as efficient and concise as can be to maximize his athleticism … Has the needed upper body strength to deal with physical play at the point of attack well for such a young guard; uses his shoulders well to steamroll his way to the lane and subtly create space to leave defenders at bay … Good pick and roll guard; takes his time and more often than not makes the right read for dumpoffs, drive and dish passes to shooters and when to take shots depending on how he’s played … Good accuracy throwing lobs to his athletic teammates when on the move as well … Hard player for defenders to stay in front of in isolation with his quick 1st step and how he utilizes crossovers and hesitation dribbles to keep his man off balance … Tight handles also allow him to get to his spots with ease and keep the ball away from defenders and minimize live action mistakes … Unselfish player who can be trusted to make sound decisions (6.3 APG) … The ball was in his hands to initiate offense for himself and his teammates a bunch as a Fr. and he didn’t turn the ball over at a high rate at all (2.2 TOPG, 2.9/1 A/TO) … A factor scoring on all 3 levels; brings slashing, stop-and-pop jumpers & runners, and deep shooting range offensively and has been a complete nightmare for defenders to have to contain (23 PPG on 49 FG% as a Fr.) … Has a compact and quick release whether shooting with his feet set or off the bounce that stood up well against closeouts (44.5 3FG% on nearly 6 3FGA/G, 85 made 3s as of writing) … Generally does a solid job with his shot selection … Had success using stepbacks and side dribble moves to create space to get off shots from both the mid-range & 3-point range … 23 games with 20+ points, and 8 games with 4 or more 3-point makes illustrates his ability to light it up as a scorer from the lead guard spot … Looks good in the open court … Excellent feel for the game; knows when to distribute, look for his own offense and also realizes when to slow things down vs. when to attack because he has the defense on its heels … Got to the charity stripe and converted at a solid rate once there, and utilizes his strength to convert through contact at times too (5.7 FTA/G on 80 FT%) … Can play off the ball at times and operate as a floor spacing option or take advantage of ways to get into the lane off the bounce with the floor spacing being manipulated … Machine-like with how consistent he processes and does things on the court … A real impactful and richly productive player on the offensive end of the court whose presence makes everyone’s job easier on the court … Very poised for such a young player; not afraid to have the ball in his hands in pressure moments … Has drawn praise for his smarts and leadership multiple times over the past few months

Weaknesses: A very good athlete who gets off and around the floor fine but isn’t the most explosive leaper you’ll see by any means, especially when he doesn’t have a head of steam … Gets creative around the rim but can be stifled by length at the basket occasionally when the defense is set, and will at times pull up for jumpers instead of attacking the rim because of it (51 FG% inside the arc) … Not the most devoted defensive player currently; will need to improve on sinking his hips and maintaining stance to offer more resistance against dribble drives by quicker guards … Also has a tendency to get through ball screens slow, which lead to some team defensive collapses and him being late to recover or totally washed out of plays when he’s beat … Has the tools to be more impactful creating live turnovers and getting more transition opportunities for his team, but his defensive production was mediocre at best at Arkansas (0.8 SPG) … Definitely a true PG, but seems a bit more comfortable and natural scoring than distributing if you really look closely at his tendencies

Outlook: Darius Acuff Jr. journey to the draft started as early as his 9th grade year where he stood out in HS in Detroit, as he starred for 2 years before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida and playing for The Family on the Nike AAU circuit for his last 2 years where he continues to put up big numbers … In late 2023 he began seeing his name mentioned as a 5-star level recruit in the 2025 HS Class and drew the interest of Arkansas not long after Coach Calipari settled as the head coach there, later committing to the coach who almost literally has a new NBA lottery pick at guard every year … He committed to the Razorbacks the summer before his Sr. season and by the time he graduated he was a FIBA U18 MVP, .. As a ballyhooed consensus 5-star recruit with high expectations, he immediately was an impact player scoring 22 points in his 1st ever college game while going on to have the highest scoring average of any Fr. that has played under Coach Calipari in his career … When you look how Acuff has played as a Fr., you see obvious talent and tangible tools, but it has been his poise, timing and efficiency that truly tell the tale … He has a flair for the big play, as well as flawless offensive fundamentals that really has seen him solidify his name as one of the seemingly can’t-miss prospects in the 2026 Draft class … He controls the flow when he’s out there and easily sets the table for himself and his Razorback teammates with his 3-level scoring package that give defenses headaches and his smart, unselfish processing as a distributor … He needs to work on his defense, and he’s a notch less explosive athletically as DRose or John Wall were in Coach Cal’s past lineage, but he operates with the efficiency you see from only the best PGs … There is a ton to like about letting Acuff run the show for your team if you need a playmaker with the ball in his hands in the lottery

Notes: Darius Acuff Jr. measured 6′ 2.00” barefoot, 185.8 lbs, 6′ 6.50” wingspan, 8′ 2.50” standing reach, 31.5 no step vertical, and 36.5 max vertical at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. …Consensus 5-star recruit and top-10 national prospect in the 2025 class, ranked as high as No. 5 overall and No. 1–2 PG depending on service … 2025 Allen Iverson National Player of the Year and EYBL Scholastic Player of the Year … Naismith Trophy and MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalist … Naismith All-America 1st Team, McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic, Iverson Classic MVP, and Nike Hoop Summit participant … Averaged 20.4 PPG and 5.5 APG as a junior at IMG (No. 6 MaxPreps finish) … Led EYBL Scholastic in scoring (21.4 PPG) and posted 23.9 PPG on the Nike EYBL circuit with The Family … Former MaxPreps Michigan Player of the Year (2023) after leading Cass Tech to a state title … 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup MVP and gold medalist, averaging 17.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 4.0 APG, including 26 points and 9 assists in the championship game … Multiple USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp selections …

Jorrye Nixon 3/19/26

Strengths: 6’3 scoring guard … Good length with a 6’5.5 wingspan … Good strength and handles contact well … Quick with the ball, including first step and in the open floor … Good scorer and crafty around the rim, using either hand and hitting shots at various angles. Puts up big numbers in every setting and led the EYBL Scholastic in scoring two years in a row, 7 points per game more than the league’s 2^nd leading scorer. Can score from anywhere on the floor. Good pull-up and floater from midrange … Very capable 3PT shooter. Shoots well off the dribble and makes defenders pay for having their hands down. Hits contested shots with little space from the defender … Draws fouls at a high rate. Shot a 3^rd most 5.5 free throws per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 and 4.4 free throws per game in 2024-25. Good free throw shooter: 82.4% FT% Nike EYBL 2023, 100% FT% (17-17) NBPA Top 100 2023, 77.8% FT% U18 Americas Championship 2024 … Plays and creates well in isolation. Reads and reacts well with the ball and processes the game to where it slows down for him. Advanced ball-handler and creates offense against any defense at this level. Plays well off the dribble and isn’t reliant on triple threat. Changes his speed and sells his crossover well. Controls the pace and doesn’t get sped up. Gets into the paint where he can find open shooters or cutters. Good running the pick and roll. Finds alley-oop opportunities in the half-court and leads well in transition … Positive assist to turnover: 4.2 APG/3.2 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 3.8 APG/2.2 TOPG Nike EYBL 2023, 2^nd most 5.3 APG/3.3 TOPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 4 APG/1/8 TOPG U18 Americas Championship 2024, 2^nd most 5 APG/2.6 TOPG EYBL Scholastic 2024-25 … Solid rebounder for position … Good length, physicality, and grit as a defender. Quick hands and comes up with steals. Steal stats: 1.4 SPG Nike EYBL 2023, 1.2 SPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 1.3 SPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 1.5 SPG EYBL Scholastic 2024-25 … Plays with good aggression and confidence. Steps up and loves big moments in crunch time …

Weaknesses: Isn’t an explosive athlete and finishes below the rim. Scores on a lot of scoop layups at the high school level, which is not ideal moving forward. Gets his shot blocked at times and scoring at the rim/operating in the paint may diminish as the floor shrinks at the next levels … Good scorer but high-volume and must improve efficiency. Will need to work on getting easier looks at the next levels. Scoring Stats: 4^th best 20.1 PPG 43.6% FG% Nike EYBL 2023, league best 21.3 PPG 42.4% FG% EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 4^th best 17.8 PPG 46.7% FG% U18 Americas Championship 2024, league best 23.7 PPG 42.2% FG% EYBL Scholastic 2024-25 … Capable 3PT shooter but must improve consistency and is very high-volume as well. Shot 31% 3PT% on 4.8 3PT attempts per game at the U18 Americas Championship in 2024 and his 3PT shooting noticeably dropped from his junior to senior year, from 36.3% 3PT% on 6.7 3PT attempts per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 to 24.7% 3PT% on 7.8 3PT attempts per game in 2024-25 … Puts up assist numbers but his volume with the ball is high. He’s more wired to score than be a true point guard. Can still develop more as a lead guard and work on bringing out the best in his teammates. While he stays poised and doesn’t get rattled under pressure, he can also over-dribble and get casual with the ball at times. Can work on limiting turnovers: 3.2 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 2^nd most 3.3 TOPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 2.6 TOPG EYBL Scholastic 2024-25 …

Outlook: Arkansas freshman … Transferred to IMG Academy after his sophomore year … Earned MVP, won Gold, and named to the All-Tournament 1^st Team at the U18 Americas Championship in 2024 … Recorded 12 points and 4 assists in the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game … Recorded 24 points (9-14 FG, 4-8 3PT) in the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit … Recorded 22 points and 3 steals in the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic … 2024-25 EYBL Scholastic 1^st Team … 2025 Naismith All-American 1^st Team …

Evan Tomes 9/7/25

Strengths: 6’2 scoring guard … Good length with a 6’5.5 wingspan … Good strength and handles contact well … Quick with the ball, including first step … Good scorer and crafty around the rim, hitting shots at various angles. Puts up big numbers in every setting. Can score from anywhere on the floor. Good pull-up and floater from midrange … Shoots well from 3PT at a high volume. Shoots well off the dribble and makes defenders pay for having their hands down. Hits contested shots with little space from the defender. Shot 35.9% 3PT% on 7.5 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2023 and 36.3% 3PT% on 6.7 3PT attempts per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 … Draws fouls at a high rate. Shot a 3^rd most 5.5 free throws per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24. Good free throw shooter: 82.4% FT% Nike EYBL 2023, 100% FT% (17-17) NBPA Top 100 2023, 77.8% FT% U18 Americas Championship 2024 … Reads and reacts well with the ball and processes the game to where it slows down for him. Advanced ball-handler and creates offense against any defense at this level. Plays well off the dribble and isn’t reliant on triple threat. Changes his speed and sells his crossover well. Controls the pace and doesn’t get sped up. Gets into the paint where he can find open shooters or cutters. Good running the pick and roll … Positive assist to turnover: 4.2 APG/3.2 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 3.8 APG/2.2 TOPG Nike EYBL 2023, 2^nd most 5.3 APG/3.3 TOPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 4 APG/1/8 TOPG U18 Americas Championship 2024 … Solid rebounder for position … Good length and physicality as a defender. Quick hands and comes up with steals. Steal stats: 1.4 SPG Nike EYBL 2023, 1.2 SPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 1.3 SPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24 … Plays with good aggression and confidence …

Weaknesses: Isn’t an explosive athlete and finishes below the rim. Scores on a lot of scoop layups at the high school level, which is not ideal moving forward. Scoring at the rim and operating in the paint may diminish a bit at the next levels … Good scorer but must improve efficiency. Will need to work on getting easier looks at the next levels. Scoring Stats: 4^th best 20.1 PPG 43.6% FG% Nike EYBL 2023, League best 21.3 PPG 42.4% FG% EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 4^th best 17.8 PPG 46.7% FG% U18 Americas Championship 2024 … Puts up assist numbers but his volume with the ball is high. He’s more wired to score than be a true point guard as his size suggests. Can still develop more as a lead guard and work on bringing out the best in his teammates. Can over-dribble and get casual with the ball at times. Can work on limiting turnovers. Averaged 3.2 turnovers per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 and a 2^nd most 3.3 turnovers per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 …

Outlook: Arkansas commit … Transferred to IMG Academy after his sophomore year … Earned MVP, won Gold, and named to the All-Tournament 1^st Team at the U18 Americas Championship in 2024 …

Evan Tomes 11/15/24

Notes: Measured 6′ 1” barefoot, 174 lbs, and a 6′ 5.5” wingspan at the 2023 Nike Elite 100 …