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He's still got it
John Calipari's magic PG touch continues with Darius Acuff commitment. Plus the latest on other recruits, reclassifications, and the NCAA settlement.
Mike Miller
July 29, 2024
Good morning! Hope you had a delightful weekend watching the Olympics. Whether you’re rooting for Team USA (and wondering how much Steve Kerr can play Joel Embiid during the games) or just marveling at water polo, it makes for great TV amidst the summer heat.
So what happened in college hoops? Glad you asked.
1. John Calipari’s still got that magic touch
New program, same result for John Calipari when it comes to prep point guards.
Darius Acuff Jr., the top point guard in the class of 2025 and a consensus Top 10 prospect, announced Friday that’s headed to Arkansas, giving Coach Cal yet another elite point guard at a third program. Because as impressive as this note from Jeff Borzello is, it doesn’t fully capture all the guards.
Wild stat: Darius Acuff is the 16th five-star point guard to commit to John Calipari since he arrived at Kentucky in 2009.
He’s landed at least one five-star point guard in every class but two (2012 and 2019). Now 2-for-2 at Arkansas (Boogie Fland and Acuff).
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello)
9:07 PM • Jul 26, 2024
This run actually started in 2007 at Memphis with Derrick Rose and in 2008 with Tyreke Evans, before snagging John Wall in 2009 at Kentucky. Here’s the list of ensuing 5-star point guards Cal’s had. (Per the 247 Sports composite).
2010: Brandon Knight
2011: Marquis Teague
2013: Andrew Harrison
2014: Tyler Ulis
2015: Isaiah Briscoe (Jamal Murray’s listed as a SG)
2016: De’Aaron Fox
2018: Ashton Hagans & Immanuel Quickley
2019: Tyrese Maxey
2020: Terrence Clarke
2021: TyTy Washington
2022: Cason Wallace (kind of a PG?)
2023: DJ Wagner & Rob Dillingham
2024: Boogie Fland
2025: Darius Acuff
Note: Darius Washington Jr. in 2004 was a 4-star prospect, but certainly fits the mold of dynamic PG under Cal.
It’s striking that for a coach who spent most of the 2010s loading up on 5-7 high school slayers in every class, he rarely doubled up on point guards. Once Cal had his guy, he rolled with him and surrounded him with plenty of shooting/combo guards, wings and forwards.
That’ll almost certainly be the case with Acuff.
"We have a great relationship,” Acuff told ESPN. “We have been close for a year and a half. Growing up, I knew what type of guard coach he was. He built the best relationship with me. He keeps it real. It’s like he is already your coach when you speak with him."
2. Acuff’s Arkansas impact & domino effect
Even in a class loaded with top-flight talent, Acuff’s no slouch as a difference-makers.