Darius Acuff Jr., the 19-year-old Arkansas point guard, signed a signature shoe deal with Reebok on Tuesday, becoming the first male college athlete to do so. Acuff has led the Razorbacks through two NCAA Tournament wins, scoring 60 points and dishing 13 assists. The deal comes amid strong tournament play but questions from NBA scouts about his defense.
Darius Acuff Jr. made history this season as the first player to lead the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in both points and assists since Pete Maravich in 1970. He also became only the third player to win both SEC freshman of the year and player of the year awards. Reebok announced the shoe deal on Tuesday, highlighting Acuff's potential as a franchise face. Allen Iverson, Reebok's vice president of basketball, endorsed him on Instagram, calling him 'The next HIM.' Chris Paul is the only other freshman since 1973 to start an NCAA Tournament with consecutive 20-point, five-assist games, a mark Acuff matched through Arkansas' first two victories. In the second-round win over High Point last Saturday, Arkansas defeated the Panthers 90-83. Acuff scored 36 points, including 12 of the Razorbacks' final 15 and a personal 7-0 run that turned a tie into the winning margin. Listed between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3 at 190 pounds, Acuff draws NBA comparisons to Jalen Brunson for his leverage and strength. A Western Conference scout said Brunson offers a model, noting, 'They use their leverage; they get you on their hip... It's hard to go wrong betting on those kinds of guys.' Another scout highlighted his off-ball play potential. However, scouts question his defense, citing effort lapses and poor screen navigation against High Point's Rob Martin. Arkansas faces top-seeded Arizona in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. CBS Sports lead draft scout Adam Finkelstein projects Acuff in the lottery, around picks six to eight.
