Darius Acuff Jr. Becomes First NCAA Men’s Athlete With Signature Shoe Deal
Arkansas Razorbacks freshman standout Darius Acuff Jr. is already rewriting the record books—and now, he’s making history off the court as well. At just 19 years old, Acuff has secured a signature sneaker deal with Reebok, becoming the first NCAA men’s basketball player to land a signature shoe with a major U.S. brand while still competing at the collegiate level.
The groundbreaking partnership was confirmed by Reebok’s head of basketball, Jide Osifeso, in a statement to ESPN—marking a pivotal shift in how brands are investing in next-generation talent before they even reach the NBA.
On the court, Acuff’s résumé is just as headline-worthy. Currently ranked No. 8 on draft analyst Jeremy Woo’s 2026 NBA Draft big board, the SEC Player of the Year delivered one of the most dominant freshman seasons in recent memory. He became the first player since Pete Maravich in 1969–70 to lead the SEC in both points and assists per game, while also powering Arkansas to an SEC Tournament championship.
His NCAA Tournament run has been equally historic. Acuff dropped 60 total points across his first two games, leading Arkansas into the Sweet 16 and surpassing Pat Riley’s long-standing SEC record. He also joins elite company as just the second player in the past 50 years to average at least 30 points and five assists through his first two tournament appearances—alongside Billy Donovan.
Even more impressively, Acuff became only the second freshman since 1973 to open his NCAA Tournament career with back-to-back games of 20+ points and five assists, joining Chris Paul.
For Reebok, the deal signals a renewed focus on basketball heritage and future stars. Acuff becomes the brand’s first men’s signature athlete since John Wall, with the company teasing the upcoming release of his debut model—the “Acuff 1.”
With his stock continuing to rise, Acuff is widely projected to be a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft should he declare. For now, all eyes remain on the freshman phenom as Arkansas prepares to face No. 1-seeded Arizona in what promises to be another defining moment in his already historic run.
Photos Credit: Courtesy of Reebok
