On Tuesday, Dec. 23, one of the country’s most exciting young basketball talents will return to his hometown to give back to the next generation of players.
Darius Acuff Jr., a freshman guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks and one of the top players in the 2025 recruiting class, will lead a free basketball camp at the ACC Youth Center on Seven Mile Road. The event, open to local youth, offers an opportunity for campers to develop skills, learn fundamentals, and play the game alongside a rising star who grew up in their own community.
Running from morning into midday, the camp will feature various stations focused on basketball fundamentals.
The Detroit native, who attended Cass Technical High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida, has quickly made his mark in college basketball. Acuff entered Arkansas as the No. 1 ranked point guard in the 2025 class and has lived up to that billing during his freshman season. He is averaging approximately 17.7 points, 5.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game, while shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. His performance has also landed him on the Naismith National Player of the Year Watch List, one of just seven freshmen nationwide to earn that distinction.
Acuff’s impact is already being felt in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). Recently named SEC Freshman of the Week, he posted outstanding numbers including a double-digit assist game and strong scoring efforts against ranked opponents.
For young players in Detroit, this free camp represents more than just drills and instruction. It’s a chance to connect with someone who walked the same streets, wore the same neighborhood jerseys, and dreamed the same dreams. It’s a reminder that world-class talent can and does emerge from Detroit, and it shows that while also providing a meaningful outlet for young athletes to stay active, learn hard, and build confidence.
Acuff’s decision to give back to Detroit youth reinforces that message. He exemplifies how investments in young people can pay dividends both on the court and beyond. By hosting this free camp, he shares his basketball expertise and his intangible assets of both energy and encouragement.
From Cass Tech to Fayetteville, and now back home, Acuff understands the impact of community support and is paying it forward in a big way.
Parents, players, and fans alike can attend this special event on Dec. 23 at ACC Youth Center, which promises skills, smiles, and a hometown hero giving back.
