Darius Acuff and Labaron Philon: Dynamic Performers!

Since NBA All-Star weekend, I have heard a lot of talk about the possibility of a NBA one-on-one competition. It’s a growing segment of the game and Sounds fun to me.

Now, it makes a big difference in 1 v. 1 competition if there are unlimited dribbles and/or no shot clock compared to a dribble limit and a shot clock. Just ask Tennessee Volunteer legend Ron Slay what can happen when you play an old man sharp shooter with a two dribble limit.

Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images

Regardless of the structure of one on one competition, getting buckets is essential to winning basketball games. The best do it within the context of the team and the game. Some are talented enough to create the context.

Have you ever had that feeling of “he better not pass that ball”? I have.

I was making that statement known Wednesday night while watching Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr. and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. put up amazing scoring numbers in an epic 117-115 double overtime win by Alabama over visiting Arkansas.

Breaking Down Labaron Philon’s Game

Let’s start with Philon. The 6-4, 185-pound sophomore is a bucket generator. He gets his own at 21.3 points per game, placing him at No. 13 on the Division One scoring chart prior to Wednesday night’s game. He also averages five assists to 2.7 turnovers per game.

One terrific aspect of Philon’s game is how he passes out of pick and roll situations when it is the appropriate decision. When the proper decision is for him to score, it is a relatively easy decision for Philon to make. The fun decision for me to watch is when there is no evident decision and he lowers his shoulders and wiggles through the defense.

A LEGACY GAME FOR LABARON PHILON JR. AND THE CRIMSON TIDE

No. 25 Alabama wins it in a 2OT thriller vs. No. 20 Arkansas pic.twitter.com/3ywI0XLdVK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 19, 2026

Philon’s NBA Comp

There is a slipperiness to his game that reminds me of one of my all time favorite one on one scorers Jamal Crawford. Philon is a nightmare to defend just as Crawford was. Post Wednesday night, he is averaging 21.8 points and 50.8 percent shooting from the field and 39.5 percent from behind the arc.

And one thing we all need to keep in mind when talking about elite scorers is they take the toughest shots on the court. Arguing bad shot selection almost always falls on deaf ears from me because someone has to take the tough shots and often up against the clock. So as far as I am concerned, you can add on to those already impressive shooting percentages.

On the night against Alabama, Philon went 11-21 from the field, 3-8 from behind the arc and 10-13 from the line for 35 points along with seven assists to two turnovers.

He was impressive to say the least and withdrawing for the 2025 NBA Draft is beginning to look like it’s going to pay off.

Breaking Down Darius Acuff’s Game

Now, when it comes to his cohort Darius Acuff Jr., it doesn’t look like he’ll be withdrawing from the 2026 Draft for any reason and will be in a Hogs uniform for only one season.

Acuff was the No. 14 scorer in Division One at 21.2 points per game going into Wednesday night’s game. After scoring 49 point the double overtime loss (16-27 from the field, 6-10 from behind the arc and 11-12 at the line), he left the game averaging 22.3 points per game. The 6-3, 190-pound freshman also registered five assists to only one turnover.

He is now averaging 22.3 points per game on 50.9 percent shooting from the field, 44.3 percent from behind the arc. His assists to turnover ratio is 3-1 (6.2 per game to two per game).

Acuff’s strength with the basketball is what stands out to me. Sure he can get to the rim, but he is also extremely capable of getting separation at a moment’s notice and pop his pull up jumper.

Freshman Darius Acuff with one of the best performances we’ve seen all season

49 PTS | 16-27 FG | 6-10 3PT | 5 REB | 5 AST | 50 MINS pic.twitter.com/guNnS1XBPe

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) February 19, 2026

Dame Time 2.0?

To source the source himself, I like the comparison Acuff has made for himself with Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. Both see the court while looking to score with strength and range. Acuff was more highly-regarded and recruited out of high school, but could he get drafted at the same number or in the same range (No. 6) as Lillard? Some think that would be a smart NBA front office move!

Bottom line is, no one wants to defend either of these players when they are seeking buckets. And the great thing for their teams is both can produce points out of nothing. They create the opportunities with their strength, wiggle, and elite scoring and passing combination.

They both put forth a terrific performance on Wednesday, and will be fun to watch in March.