Arkansas Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. Named Wooden Award Finalist

Acuff also selected for Wooden Award All-America team

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:23pm

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The Los Angeles Athletic Club has announced that Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. has been named one of five finalists for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, presented by Principal. Acuff has also been listed on the Wooden Award's 10-member All-America team.

Why it matters

The Wooden Award is one of the most coveted individual honors in college basketball, recognizing the nation's top player. Acuff's selection as a finalist and All-American showcases his exceptional talent and performance during his debut season with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The details

The Wooden Award Top 5 finalists include Acuff, along with Cameron Boozer (Duke), AJ Dybansta (BYU), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), and Braden Smith (Purdue). The Wooden Award All-America team consists of those five players, as well as Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State), JT Toppin (Texas Tech), and Keaton Wagler (Illinois).

  • The Los Angeles Athletic Club announced the Wooden Award finalists and All-America team on April 1, 2026.

The players

Darius Acuff Jr.

A freshman basketball player at the University of Arkansas who has been named a finalist for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award and selected to the Wooden Award All-America team.

Cameron Boozer

A basketball player at Duke University who has been named a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award.

AJ Dybansta

A basketball player at Brigham Young University who has been named a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award.

Yaxel Lendeborg

A basketball player at the University of Michigan who has been named a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award.

Braden Smith

A basketball player at Purdue University who has been named a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award.

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The takeaway

Darius Acuff Jr.'s selection as a Wooden Award finalist and All-American showcases the exceptional talent and potential of the Arkansas Razorbacks' young star, further cementing the program's status as a rising power in college basketball.