Arkansas Star Darius Acuff Jr. Credits Parents for Basketball Journey in March Madness

Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. is making waves during March Madness, thanks largely to the influence of his parents.

Raised in Detroit by his father, Darius Acuff Sr., and mother, Dureese Owens, Acuff Jr.’s basketball journey was heavily shaped by his family’s love for the sport.

In a 2026 interview with Swish Cultures, Acuff Jr. emphasized that “Family means everything — that comes first,” highlighting how his parents’ support fuels both his on-court performance and life off the court.

His father, a former college player at Eastern Kentucky, played an instrumental role in developing Acuff Jr.’s skills from an early age, teaching him everything from dribbling to shooting.