Sacramento Kings take Darius Acuff Jr. at No. 7: We grade the pick

The new era of the Sacramento Kings is officially here.

The Kings selected Darius Acuff Jr. out of Arkansas with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Sacramento entered the draft with a major hole to fill at the point guard position. It was a point of emphasis the team wanted to address this draft season. But now, they've found their guy.

"I'm definitely ready for the next step," Acuff told USA TODAY Sports during a media availability. "Excited to start hooping again. I'm just blessed to get picked here."

Acuff, 19, has a heavy weight on his shoulders as all eyes are looking towards him to be the cornerstone piece that helps lead Sacramento to winning basketball. Those are high expectations for the 2025-26 consensus First Team All-America selection, but his game compliments those expectations.

The Kings finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 22-60 record. They failed to make the playoffs for a third-consecutive season. However, the Kings draft selection of Acuff gives them hopes of a bright future to build upon with their 2025 draft class of Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford acquired in a draft day trade and undrafted signee Dylan Cardwell.

Are the Sacramento Kings winners or losers after the first round?

The Kings are absolute winners in the first round.

They went with the best fit for their team who happens to be the best player available. The best player at the position. Acuff said he watched a lot of Allen Iverson growing up, so if he's anything like his hoop idol, Sacramento can expect a guy who will play with his heart, give his all each time he steps on the floor. Acuff is the complete package at 6-foot-2, 186 pounds: a three-level scorer, tough shot-maker, crafty ballhandler and strong playmaker.

Grading the Sacramento Kings first round draft pick

Here's how USA TODAY Sports grades the Sacramento Kings' first round draft selection:

• The grade: A
• Why?: A is for Acuff. It's the first letter of the alphabet. Acuff is the Kings' first-round pick. A also stands for alpha, and that's what Sacramento is getting in Acuff. The Arkansas freshman standout was the frontrunner for the Razorbacks leading them to an Elite Eight appearance in a season where he averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 assists on 48.4% field goal shooting, including 44% on 3-point shots. He's that type of guy, a point guard who can be a 1A and can lead the Kings' offense for Doug Christie.

Sacramento Kings' draft selections in last decade

Here's a list of the Kings draft selections in the last 10 years.

• 2026: Darius Acuff Jr.
• 2025: Maxime Raynaud
• 2024: Devin Carter, Jamal Shead (traded to TOR)
• 2023: Olivier-Maxence Prosper (traded to DAL), Jordan Walsh (traded to BOS)
• 2022: Keegan Murray, Jaden Hardy (traded to DAL)
• 2021: Davion Mitchell, Neemias Queta
• 2020: Tyrese Haliburton, Xavier Tillman (traded to MEM), Jahmi'us Ramsey, Kenyon Martin Jr. (traded to HOU)
• 2019: Justin James, Ignas Brazdeikis (traded to NYK), Vanja Marinković
• 2018: Marvin Bagley, Gary Trent (traded to POR)
• 2017: De'Aaron Fox, Zach Collins (traded to POR), Frank Mason
• 2016: Marqueese Chriss (traded to PHX), Isaiah Cousins