Razorbacks’ Guard Darius Acuff Selected No. Overall in 2026 NBA Draft

BROOKLYN Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff is the first of three Razorbacks off the board in the 2026 NBA Draft Tuesday night when he was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the No.

7 overall pick in the first round.

Acuffs selection makes him the highest drafted player from Arkansas since 2023 when Anthony Black went No.

6 overall to the Orlando Magic.

He went into the night projected to be the first player from the Hogs taken following a phenomenal freshman year that saw him earn first team All-American honors, SEC Player of the Year, league freshman of the year, and SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Likely his biggest accomplishment was becoming the first player to lead the SEC in points and assists since Pete Maravich in 1970.

As a freshman, Acuff averaged over 24 points, six assists and three rebounds on 48% shooting from the field, 44% from three and 81% from free throw line.

His knack as a bucket getter and facilitator lifted the Razorbacks to a different level in the postseason by averaging an astonishing 30 points, seven assists and one steal across six postseason tournament games.

He led Arkansas to a victory over Vanderbilt for the SEC Tournament Championship and back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances.

Arguably his best performance of the season came in a double-overtime classic in Tuscaloosa against Alabama when he dropped 49 points on 16-of-27 from the floor, 6-of-10 from three and 11-of-12 from the free throw line.

He also contributed with five rebounds, five assists and only one turnover in 50 minutes.

And dont forget, the 6-foot-2, 186 pound point guard did all of that on a bum ankle he sustained against Aubrn just four days prior.

During a media appearance on ESPN last week, Calipari made sure to warn NBA teams they will regret passing on superstar point guard.

A great teammate.

We all hear stuff.

Im around these kids, all they want to do is get better.

They want to respect whos coaching them, Calipari told Colin Cowherd on The Herd.

And Darius Acuff, Im telling you, theres going to be some guys regretting [not picking him.] Thats okay.

Thats okay.

When he starts playing, youll remember this conversation, and were saying, Youre going to regret not taking him.

Acuff is the latest in a growing list of coach John Calipari guards to be selected as lottery picks across his four decades in the college game.

Former Kentucky stars Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, John Wall, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, DeAaron Fox and Brandon Knight.

During his time at Memphis, Calipari helped Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, and Dajuan Wagner were each lotter picks from 2000-2009.

The 2026 NBA Draft will continue with its second round Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

CT from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Coach Cal Reaction There havent been many times over the years that Calipari has missed out on watching one of his stars stroll across the stage to shake hands with the NBA Commissioner.

The second-year Razorbacks coach told the world Tuesday night that the Kings will be getting a fierce competitor and winner in Acuff.

Being drafted by Sacramento shouldnt come as a surprise either as most mock drafts pegged him at No.

7 overall since the beginning of the college basketball offseason.

With so many connections to the franchise, the Kings organization might be the perfect fit after all as General manager Scott Perry coached his father two decades ago at Eastern Kentucky.

Follow LITTLE ROCK, Ark.

(KAIT) Registration is open for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commissions annual urban deer hunt.

This years hunts will be held in Cherokee Village, Fairfield Bay, Heber Springs, Helena-West Helena, Horseshoe Bend and Russellville.

The archery-only hunts are designed to offer an inexpensive and effective method of nuisance deer management, according to an AGFC news release.

Deer harvested during the urban hunts do not count toward a hunters seasonal limit, and there are no limits to the number of deer that can be harvested.

However, the first deer taken must be donated to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, which provides ground meat to food pantries across the state.

Hunters must pass the International Bowhunters Education Program before participating.

The program is available at www.agfc.com/education/hunter-education.

Hunters also must attend orientation to learn the specific rules of the hunts and pass a shooting proficiency test.

For more information, visit www.agfc.com/urbanhunt.

To report a typo or correction, please click here.

The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Heres a look at Monday, June 22, 2026 results for each game: Winning Powerball numbers from June 22 drawing 17-19-21-45-48, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 2 Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 22 drawing Midday: 8-6-8 Evening: 4-9-7 Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 22 drawing Midday: 4-4-6-9 Evening: 6-4-1-4 Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from June 22 drawing 07-17-23-28-32 Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 22 drawing 07-08-20-24-42, Bonus: 05 Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held? - Powerball: 9:59 p.m.

CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

- Mega Millions: 10 p.m.

CT on Tuesday and Friday.

- Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m.

CT daily except Sunday.

- Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m.

CT daily.

- Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m.

CT daily except Sunday.

- Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m.

CT daily.

- Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m.

CT daily.

- Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m.

CT daily except Sunday.

- LOTTO: 9 p.m.

CT on Wednesday and Saturday.

- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m.

CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor.

You can send feedback using this form.

Latest Peppermint Hippo court filing alleges misconduct by Arkansas officials, asks for liquor license reinstatement Video: Peppermint Hippo appeals liquor license revocation before Alcoholic Beverage Control board LITTLE ROCK, Ark.

The latest court filing by a lawyer representing the Peppermint Hippo gentlemens club alleges misconduct by an Arkansas agency and its department head.

The filing asks that the clubs liquor license be reinstated pending judicial review of the January 2026 decision to revoke it.

It alleges that Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Director Christy Bjornson tainted the entire administrative proceedings.

The filing alleges Bjornson had ex parte, or single-sided, conversations with Peter Riberiro about the death of his brother, John Riberiro.

John Riberiro was killed in November 2021 after being ejected from the club and climbing a fence alongside Interstate 40, where he was hit by a car.

Peter Riberiro contacted ABC by email in February 2025, calling for the clubs license to be revoked.

Bjornson replied to the email personally, and she and ABC Director of Enforcement David Potter then had a series of phone conferences with Peter Riberiro and his attorney through January 2026, ex parte communications since Peppermint Hippo representatives were not included, the filing alleges.

The filing also alleges that Bjornson acted with extreme bias in the clubs list of violations, including those that had previously been investigated and found unfounded.

Bjornson determined the club was in violation, then looked for evidence substantiating her views, the filing alleges.

The state maintains, in a separate filing, that Bjornsons communications were not ex parte under Arkansas law because she was acting as an administrator and the final decision was made by the ABC board, not her.

Even if she was, the states filing continues, the decision to revoke was due to substantial evidence and was neither arbitrary, capricious, nor an abuse of discretion.

A hearing about the reinstatement is scheduled for Aug.

3 in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

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