Top rookie point guards set for showdown as Kings host California Classic
Two of the top point guards in last week’s NBA draft will go head-to-head when the Sacramento Kings face the Brooklyn Nets on Day 1 of the California Classic at 2 p.m. Saturday at Golden 1 Center.
The Nets selected Mikel Brown Jr. out of Louisville with the sixth pick in the draft. The Kings selected Darius Acuff Jr. out of Arkansas with the seventh pick. Now, just 10 days later, they will face off for the first time as professionals.
Acuff said he’s looking forward to his first game in front of the Sacramento crowd.
“I can’t wait to see how it’s going to look, for sure,” Acuff said. “I think it’s going to be a great game. I think the fans are going to show up for sure, and I can’t wait.”
The Kings will play the Golden State Warriors at 2 p.m. Sunday and the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 p.m. Monday in the final games of the California Classic before heading to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League.
“I think the main goal for everybody is just to win,” Acuff said. “It’s our home floor. We want to win every game, but just learning everybody and getting that chemistry is going to be the best part.”
Acuff averaged 23.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 0.8 steals to help Arkansas reach the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. He was remarkably efficient, shooting 48.4% from the field, 44% from 3-point range and 80.9% at the free-throw line with an almost 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Acuff was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, SEC Rookie of the Year and SEC tournament MVP. He also won the Bob Cousy Award, which the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame presents each year to the nation’s top college point guard.
Brown averaged 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals to help Louisville reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He shot 41% from the field, 34.4% from 3-point range and 84.4% from the free-throw line. He earned third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and ACC All-Rookie team honors.
Saturday’s showdown in Sacramento won’t be the first time Acuff and Brown have faced each other. They went head-to-head when Arkansas played Louisville on Dec. 3. At the time, Louisville was ranked sixth in the nation and Arkansas was No. 25, but the Razorbacks prevailed, winning 89-80.
Acuff had 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting with five rebounds and 10 assists. Brown had 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting with five rebounds and three assists.
Acuff and Brown also found themselves on opposite sides in the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game. Brown teamed with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson and Brayden Burries to lead the West to a 105-92 victory over the East, which featured Acuff, Cameron Boozer and Nate Ament. Brown had five points and five assists. Acuff had 12 points and four assists.
Acuff was asked what he expects to see from Brown based on their previous matchups.
“Good back and forth battle,” Acuff said. “He’s a great player, I’m a great player, so it’s definitely great battles every time.”
