Darius Acuff Jr.’s Roots Run Deep in a Detroit Gym That Built His Game
Darius Acuff Jr. doesn’t remember much from his toddler years—he was only 2 or 3—but one memory remains crystal clear: darting around the gym at the America’s Community Council Youth Center in Detroit, just down the block from his childhood home, while his older cousin’s team practiced. That gym, with its distinct royal blue striped walls, was where his love for basketball first took shape.
Since 2003, that same gym has been cared for by Virgil Phillips—known in the neighborhood as Coach V—who also happens to be the father of Darius’ uncle Rashad. As director of youth programs at the ACC, Coach V has been a constant presence in Acuff’s life. Alongside Darius’ father and uncle, he helped nurture the future star’s passion for the game, laying the foundation for everything that came after.
Now the top-ranked point guard in the nation, the 2024 EYBL Scholastic Player of the Year, and a marquee commit for John Calipari at Arkansas, Darius still sees that familiar hardwood as home.
“I was just in there every day working out,” he recalls. “Since I was that young, up to now—it’s always been the same. I’ve been working out there with my dad, my uncle, everybody. Even our AAU team when we were little, that’s where we practiced. All the memories are definitely in that gym.”
From Detroit Champion to SEC-Bound Star, Darius Acuff Jr. Keeps His Eyes on the Next Test
After leading Cass Tech to the 2023 MHSAA Division 1 state title as a sophomore, Darius Acuff Jr. was ready for a bigger stage. That next step brought him to IMG Academy, where he embraced a national schedule stacked with top-tier opponents—and thrived. In his junior season, the 6-foot-2 guard captured the EYBL Scholastic scoring crown, averaging 21.4 points per game. By the end of July 2024, he had made it official: he was heading to Arkansas to play under John Calipari.
Known for his relentless pace and fearless approach, Acuff is eager to dive into SEC competition. Even before arriving in Fayetteville this summer, Calipari has been challenging him to grow—not just as a scorer, but as a vocal leader and two-way threat.
“He knows my game,” Acuff says. “He just wants me to be more of a leader, and everything else will take care of itself.”
Ranked No. 5 in the class of 2025 by 247 Sports, Acuff sat down with us in March during IMG’s spring break. While the spotlight is firmly on his future, his attention hasn’t wavered from the present. He’s been locked in at the gym, preparing for the Chipotle Nationals in April, where IMG enters as the No. 8 seed.
Darius Acuff Jr. Elevates Again in Senior Season, Fueled by Roots and Relentless Work
Darius Acuff Jr. entered his senior year with even greater confidence—and it showed in every facet of his game. His playmaking saw a leap, with assists climbing from 3.7 to 5.4 per game, second-best in the EYBL Scholastic. Meanwhile, he continued to dominate as a scorer, averaging 24 points per game to secure back-to-back scoring titles. Guiding IMG Academy to a 7-4 record in league play, Acuff’s all-around impact earned him EYBL Scholastic Player of the Year honors once again.
But it wasn’t just belief in his talent that sparked breakout performances like his 34-point outing against Link Academy or the 26 he dropped on powerhouse Montverde.
It was the thousands of hours spent in the gym just blocks from his Detroit home—the same gym with royal blue walls, where his journey began.
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