Courtesy of Mike Cawood
Acuff Named Finalist for Naismith Award
FAYETTEVILLE – The Atlanta Tipoff Club today announced Darius Acuff Jr. as 1 of 4 finalists for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy, which annually identifies the nation’s most outstanding player.
The other finalists are Cameron Boozer (Duke), AJ Dybantsa (BYU) and Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan).
“This year’s finalists truly embody the pinnacle of men’s college basketball,” said Eric Oberman, president of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “Each student-athlete and coach has consistently been part of the national spotlight, making this year’s races some of the most competitive in recent memory and reflecting the exceptional standard they’ve upheld all season.”
Acuff Darius Acuff Jr. set the Arkansas record for points in a season (845), scoring average (23.47) and assists in a season (232). He joins Pete Maravich (LSU) as the only players to lead the SEC in both scoring and assists in the same season. Acuff also led the SEC in assist/turnover ratio (2.97) and minutes played (35.12).
In the SEC record book, Acuff’s 845 points rank 9th-best and the best total since Jodie Meek (Kentucky) scored 854 points in 2008-09. His 232 assists also rank 9th-best, tying Roger Hardin (Kentucky) in 1985-86 and the most since Tyler Ulis (Kentucky) had 246 in 2016.
ACUFF’S POSTSEASON HONORS
• Naismith Trophy Finalist
• John R. Wooden Award Finalist
• Bob Cousy Award Finalist
• Lute Olson Award Finalist
• Kyle Macy Award Finalist
• 1st Team All-American (AP)
• 1st Team All-American (USBWA)
• 1st Team All-American (The Sporting News)
• 1st Team All-American (NABC)
• 1st Team All-American (CollegeHoopsToday)
• 1st Team All-Rolls Royce (Dick Vitale)
• 1st Team All-American (Field of 68)
• 1st Team All-American (Bleacher Report)
• 1st Team All-Southeast District (NABC)
• 1st Team All-SEC (Coaches)
• 1st Team All-SEC (AP)
• 1st Team All-SEC (CollegeHoopsToday)
• 1st Team All-SEC (USA TODAY Sports Network)
• SEC Player of the Year (Coaches)
• SEC Player of the Year (AP)
• SEC Freshman of the Year (Coaches)
• SEC Freshman of the Year (AP)
• SEC Player of the Year (CollegeHoopsToday)
• SEC Player of the Year (HoopsHD)
• SEC Player of the Year (USA TODAY Sports Network)
• SEC Newcomer of the Year (USA TODAY Sports Network)
• SEC Rookie of the Year (HoopsHD)
• SEC Tournament MVP
• SEC All-Tournament Team
WEEKLY NATIONAL HONORS
• Naismith National Player of the Week (1/5)
• AP National Player of the Week (2/24)
• USBWA co-National Player of the Week (2/24)
• Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandy of the Week (12/5)
• Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandy of the Week (1/5)
• Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandy of the Week (2/16)
• NCAA March Madness National Freshman of the Week (1/5)
• CBS Sports National Freshman of the Week (1/6)
• CBS Sports National Freshman of the Week (2/24)
SEC WEEKLY HONORS
• Freshman of the Week (12/8)
• Freshman of the Week (12/15)
• Freshman of the Week (12/22)
• Freshman of the Week (1/5)
• Freshman of the Week (1/12)
• Freshman of the Week (1/26)
• Freshman of the Week (2/16)
• Player of the Week (2/23)
