Arkansas
Top Arkansas Basketball Commit Darius Acuff Jr. Signs Lucrative Sneaker Deal
Ahead of the Iverson Classic All-American Game on May 3, five-star point guard recruit Darius Acuff Jr. is adding a major NIL partnership to his portfolio. The future Arkansas point guard has signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Reebok and is already featured as one of the faces of the brand’s newest basketball shoe.
Although he will wear Nike on the court at Arkansas, Acuff will be able to support Reebok off the hardwood and through marketing. The brand will utilize the top recruit to help bring awareness to the both Reebok’s performance and lifestyle categories, including their new Engine A basketball shoe that launches in two new colorways on May 15. He will debut the Engine A during the Iverson Classic, named for the long-time Reebok partner and the brand’s Vice President of Basketball, Allen Iverson.
“We’re proud to welcome Darius to the team,” said Iverson. “His energy, ambition, and drive for success is exactly what Reebok Basketball stands for.”
A McDonald’s All-American, FIBA U18 Gold Medalist and FIBA U18 MVP, Acuff is the top-ranked point guard in the 2025 class.
“I’m excited to be joining the Reebok Basketball family,” Acuff said. “Debuting at the iconic Iverson Classic is a dream come true.”
The brand announced Acuff as their latest signee via a collab post on Instagram. Reebok described the future Razorback as “already one of the most electrifying athletes in the country, the 6’2” point guard and Detroit native is redefining the next generation of basketball.”
Acuff joins a growing Reebok basketball that includes Chicago Bulls’ rookie sensation Matas Buzelis and WNBA stars Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington.
The 2025 Iverson Classic All-American Game – featuring the top high school basketball players in the country – tips off from Hampton Coliseum on May 5 at 7PM ET.
Two rounds of storms possible Tuesday. The morning risk is very low, then a more substantial risk may evolve late in the day
Tonight: Clouds increase with storms north late. Lows in the lower 60s
Tuesday: Low storm chance in the morning with a greater chance late in the day. Highs near 80
Wednesday: Scattered areas of rain and storms. Highs in the mid to upper 60s
Arkansas
$21 million price tag set for Gentry Middle School classroom addition, new Pioneer Arena projects | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
(File photo/Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer)
Arkansas
5-Star Center Obinna Ekezie Jr. Reveals MCBB Commitment Between Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, More
One of the top basketball prospects in the class of 2027 has made his commitment.
Per On3’s Joe Tipton, 5-star center Obinna Ekezie Jr. is reclassifying to the class of 2026 and will play for Louisville this fall.
Ekezie is considered to be the No. 4 overall player and the No. 2 center in his class by 247Sports’ composite rankings. The Orlando, Florida, native is also the No. 2 player in his state.
The 7-footer had Arkansas, BYU, Kentucky and Maryland in his final group alongside Louisville, but ultimately went with Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals.
“I chose Louisville because it has everything I need in terms of winning and development. I have a great opportunity to develop and showcase my game at both the 4 and 5 alongside Flory Bidunga,” he told Tipton. “Louisville already feels like home to me and we’re going to be an incredibly competitive team. We’re striving to win a National Championship.”
Ekezie, of course, has dreams of playing at the professional level, and he felt moving up to the class of 2026 would help him reach those goals.
“After my high school season, I evaluated the rewards and risks and felt college was the right move for my development,” he said. “I get to practice every day against elite competition and develop at a much faster rate. I want to compete at the highest level and this gives me the best opportunity to grow as a player.”
The Cardinals have had a successful offseason, landing Kansas transfer center Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer point guard Jackson Shelstad, Iowa transfer forward Alvaro Folgueiras, Arkansas transfer wing Karter Knox and more.
Now, Louisville will add even more talent in Ekezie.
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