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Arkansas Commit Has Historic Weekend at 2025 Allen Iverson Classic
Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2025 Iverson Classic All-American Game, held Saturday at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia, lived up to its offensive billing. Team Loyalty defeated Team Honor 164-151 in a high-octane battle that featured the nation’s top high school talent. Leading the charge was Darius Acuff Jr., who turned in a performance worthy of the spotlight.

The 6-foot-2 point guard from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) led all scorers with 32 points and dished out a game-high 11 assists, shooting an efficient 14-of-23 from the floor, including two three-pointers. His ability to score, facilitate, and control the pace of the game earned him MVP honors and the admiration of fans, scouts, and basketball legends alike.

Ranked No. 10 nationally by 247Sports and the No. 2 point guard in the 2025 class by On3, Acuff is widely seen as one of the top guards in the country and a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His standout showing on one of the sport’s biggest high school stages only solidified that status.

NIL Deal with Reebok Elevates Acuff’s Profile

Before his MVP performance, Acuff made waves off the court by signing a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Reebok. The Detroit native became the second elite recruit to join the brand, following Tennessee commit Nate Ament.

Reebok announced the deal just days before the game and revealed that Acuff would debut their newest performance shoe, the Engine A, during the Classic. The shoe is set for release on May 15 and is part of Reebok’s renewed investment in basketball, driven by Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson, who serve as the brand’s president and vice president of basketball.

“I’m excited to be joining the Reebok Basketball family,” Acuff said in a statement. “Debuting at the iconic Iverson Classic is a dream come true.”

Acuff’s NIL valuation is currently estimated at $1.1 million, placing him among the top 20 high school athletes in the country.

Endorsement from Iverson and Family

Adding a personal touch to the moment, Allen Iverson has reportedly offered to mentor Acuff moving forward. The NBA legend sees the young point guard as a special talent worth guiding. Iverson’s mother also expressed admiration for Acuff, praising his poise, leadership, and style of play.

As he prepares for his collegiate career at Arkansas, Darius Acuff Jr. continues to build a legacy rooted not just in talent but in trust, opportunity, and belief from those who’ve been there before.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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