Darius Acuff Jr.'s Parents: A Legacy of Basketball and Family Support Darius Acuff Jr., the Arkansas Razorbacks point guard competing in March Madness 2026, was raised in Detroit by his parents, Darius Acuff Sr. and Dureese Owens. The family moved to Florida to provide him with a competitive basketball environment, ultimately leading to his commitment to the University of Arkansas. Darius Jr. has often credited his father, who played basketball at Eastern Kentucky in the late 1990s, for instilling his love for the sport and teaching him the fundamentals of the game. Darius Sr. and Dureese raised their son and daughter, Daona Todd, in Detroit, where Darius Jr. attended Cass Technical High School. During his freshman and sophomore years, he played basketball for the school, helping lead them to a state title in his second year. This success caught the attention of scouts, prompting the family to relocate to Bradenton, Florida, where he joined IMG Academy. Darius Sr. explained that the move was necessary to elevate his son’s game, noting that Detroit’s basketball culture, while tough, lacked the resources to fully develop a player of Darius Jr.’s talent. The family’s decision to move was supported by Darius Sr.’s childhood friend and manager, Rashad Phillips, who also played college basketball and founded a Detroit basketball program. Phillips recognized Darius Jr.’s exceptional skills at a young age, describing him as a player who “outplayed 13-year-olds” at 10 years old. Phillips emphasized that Darius Sr. and Dureese understood their son’s potential and made the move to ensure he had the best opportunities. Darius Jr. has spoken extensively about the influence of his parents and his family’s basketball legacy.#darius_acuff_jr #arkansas_razorbacks #darius_acuff_sr #dureese_owens #rashad_phillips
