Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Darius Acuff Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he developed into one of the country’s most promising young point guards before being selected seventh overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Behind his success is a basketball-loving family that has played an important role in his development.
Many fans are curious about Darius Acuff Jr.’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings. His parents are Darius Acuff Sr. and Dureese Owens, both of whom have basketball backgrounds. He also has a sister named Daona Todd. While his family relationships are well documented, the young basketball star has shared relatively little about his romantic life.
Darius Acuff Jr.’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Darius Acuff Jr. has kept his romantic relationships largely private, despite attracting increasing public attention through his basketball career.
Although fans have shown interest in whether the Sacramento Kings guard has a girlfriend, he has not publicly confirmed a romantic partner or disclosed details about a current relationship.
His public appearances, interviews, and social media activity have primarily focused on basketball, family, training, and his development as a professional athlete.
Acuff has frequently acknowledged the importance of having supportive people around him, particularly his parents and relatives, but he has not made any widely documented announcements about dating or marriage.
As of now, Darius Acuff Jr. has no publicly confirmed girlfriend or wife. His relationship status remains private, and there is insufficient reliable information to determine whether he is currently dating someone.
Darius Acuff Jr.’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is currently no verified public information indicating that Darius Acuff Jr. has children.
The young basketball player has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and his official athletic biographies do not identify any children.
Born in 2006, Acuff established himself as an outstanding basketball prospect during his teenage years. His journey took him from Detroit’s Cass Technical High School to IMG Academy in Florida, the University of Arkansas, and eventually the NBA.
Throughout this period, his family has remained an important source of encouragement.
As of now, Darius Acuff Jr. has no publicly confirmed children.
Darius Acuff Jr.’s Parents: Meet Darius Acuff Sr. and Dureese Owens
Darius Acuff Jr. was born to Darius Acuff Sr. and Dureese Owens in Detroit, Michigan.
Both parents have experience playing basketball, and their passion for the sport contributed significantly to their son’s upbringing.
In interviews, Acuff has explained that basketball has been an important tradition on both sides of his family. Growing up, he spent considerable time playing with relatives and learning from older family members.
His parents recognized his potential early and supported the decisions that eventually helped him become an NBA player.
Darius Acuff Sr.: Darius Acuff Jr.’s Father
Darius Acuff Sr. is the father of Darius Acuff Jr. and a former college basketball player who represented Eastern Kentucky University.
Before playing college basketball, Acuff Sr. developed a reputation as a talented point guard in Detroit during the 1990s.
According to People magazine, he averaged approximately 12.3 points and 4.4 assists per game during his college basketball career.
However, his influence on his son’s basketball development has extended far beyond his own achievements.
Darius Sr. began helping his son improve his basketball skills at a young age, teaching him ball handling, shooting, passing, and how to understand the game.
He also introduced his son to studying basketball footage while he was still in elementary school. This helped Darius Jr. understand the playing styles of established basketball stars and improve his decision-making.
In interviews, Darius Jr. has repeatedly credited his father with teaching him the fundamentals of basketball.
The connection between father and son is also reflected in their jersey numbers. Darius Jr. chose to wear number five partly because his father had worn the same number during his basketball career.
When his son became one of Michigan’s leading high school basketball prospects, Darius Sr. helped plan the next stage of his development.
The family eventually decided that attending IMG Academy in Florida would provide stronger competition and additional opportunities for growth.
His father’s guidance has remained one of the defining influences on his basketball journey.
Dureese Owens: Darius Acuff Jr.’s Mother
Dureese Owens is Darius Acuff Jr.’s mother and another important figure in his life.
Like her son’s father, Owens has a background in basketball. She played the sport during high school and belongs to a family in which basketball has been popular for generations.
During a March 2026 interview with Swish Cultures, Acuff explained that relatives from both his mother’s and father’s families had played basketball.
Owens helped raise Darius Jr. in Detroit, where he developed his passion for the game while spending time with his family.
She has also supported his educational and athletic journey, including his move to IMG Academy and his subsequent decision to attend the University of Arkansas.
When Darius committed to Arkansas in July 2024, his parents were supportive of his decision to continue his basketball development under coach John Calipari.
Although detailed information about Dureese Owens’ professional career outside basketball is limited, her influence as a parent and supporter is well documented.
Acuff has publicly expressed appreciation for his family’s sacrifices and work ethic, explaining that their dedication motivates him both on and off the basketball court.
Darius Acuff Jr.’s Siblings: Meet His Sister Daona Todd
Darius Acuff Jr. has a publicly identified sister named Daona Todd.
His sister is mentioned in the University of Arkansas men’s basketball media guide, which identifies Darius Acuff Sr. and Dureese Owens as his parents and Daona Todd as his sibling.
There is limited verified information about whether he has any additional brothers or sisters.
Daona Todd: Darius Acuff Jr.’s Sister
Daona Todd is the sister of Darius Acuff Jr. and a member of his family from Detroit, Michigan.
Unlike her brother, Daona has not developed a widely documented public profile through professional basketball.
Details about her age, education, profession, and personal relationships have not been extensively reported by reliable sources.
Nevertheless, her identity as Darius Acuff Jr.’s sister is confirmed by the University of Arkansas athletics department.
Although Darius frequently discusses his family’s love for basketball, he generally avoids sharing extensive information about the private lives of individual relatives.
Darius Acuff Jr.’s Extended Family: A Basketball Tradition
Darius Acuff Jr. comes from an extended family with deep connections to basketball, particularly in Detroit.
His father played college basketball, his mother played in high school, and several of his cousins and other relatives have also participated in the sport.
Tyson Acuff: Darius Acuff Jr.’s Cousin
Tyson Acuff is one of Darius Acuff Jr.’s older cousins and another basketball player in the family.
Tyson played college basketball at Duquesne, Eastern Michigan, and Rutgers.
In a March 2026 interview reported by ClickOnDetroit, Darius Jr. discussed the importance of growing up around his cousins and learning from them.
He explained that playing alongside older relatives helped him become more competitive and develop his understanding of basketball.
His cousin’s experience at the college level is another example of the family’s longstanding involvement in the sport.
Rashad Phillips: Darius Acuff Jr.’s Family Mentor
Another important figure in Darius Acuff Jr.’s life is Rashad Phillips, a former professional basketball player and prominent figure in Detroit basketball.
Phillips is often referred to as Darius’s uncle, although reports from Best of Arkansas Sports explain that he is a longtime family friend rather than a biological uncle.
Phillips and Darius Acuff Sr. have known each other since childhood and share a strong connection through basketball.
He helped train Darius Jr. from a young age and later became involved in managing his basketball career.
Phillips, who was a prolific scorer at the University of Detroit Mercy, recognized Darius’s potential early and worked alongside his father to support his development.
How Darius Acuff Jr.’s Family Helped Him Reach the NBA
Darius Acuff Jr.’s rise from Detroit to the NBA was heavily influenced by his family.
Growing up surrounded by basketball players gave him opportunities to learn the sport from an early age. His father provided structured training, while his cousins and other relatives helped expose him to competitive games.
He initially attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where he emerged as one of Michigan’s most talented young players.
As a sophomore, he helped Cass Tech win a state championship and established himself as a leading high school basketball prospect.
His family later supported his transfer to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he competed against some of the nation’s strongest high school players.
Acuff committed to the University of Arkansas in July 2024 and joined the Razorbacks for the 2025–26 college basketball season.
During his freshman year, he averaged approximately 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. He won the SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards, along with the prestigious Bob Cousy Award.
His performances made him one of the leading prospects entering the 2026 NBA Draft.
On June 23, 2026, the Sacramento Kings selected him with the seventh overall pick, fulfilling his ambition of becoming an NBA player.
Throughout his development, Acuff has consistently emphasized the importance of family support, describing his relatives as a source of motivation and inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Darius Acuff Jr.’s Family
Who is Darius Acuff Jr.’s girlfriend?
Darius Acuff Jr. has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend. His current romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Darius Acuff Jr. married?
There is no verified public information confirming that Darius Acuff Jr. is married or has a wife.
Does Darius Acuff Jr. have children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports indicating that Darius Acuff Jr. has children.
Who is Darius Acuff Jr.’s father?
His father is Darius Acuff Sr., a former Eastern Kentucky University basketball player who played an important role in coaching and developing his son.
Who is Darius Acuff Jr.’s mother?
His mother is Dureese Owens, who played basketball in high school and supported her son’s basketball career.
Does Darius Acuff Jr. have any siblings?
Yes. Darius Acuff Jr. has a sister named Daona Todd, according to his official University of Arkansas athletics biography.
Is Tyson Acuff related to Darius Acuff Jr.?
Yes. Tyson Acuff is Darius Acuff Jr.’s older cousin. He played college basketball at Duquesne, Eastern Michigan, and Rutgers.
Is Rashad Phillips Darius Acuff Jr.’s real uncle?
Rashad Phillips is a longtime family friend whom Darius calls his uncle. He is not a biological uncle, according to reporting by Best of Arkansas Sports.
Where is Darius Acuff Jr.’s family from?
Darius Acuff Jr.’s family is from Detroit, Michigan, where he was born and raised before continuing his basketball development in Florida.
Which NBA team does Darius Acuff Jr. play for?
Darius Acuff Jr. plays for the Sacramento Kings, who selected him seventh overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
