SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Even on July 4, when Sacramento Kings fans could have been downing hot dogs and soaking up the sun, they showed up with palpable energy to watch the potential future of the franchise in Darius Acuff Jr.Fans were hoping to see the No. 7 pick in the NBA Draft, playing alongside young core pieces such as second-year players Nique Clifford and Dylan Cardwell, produce some fireworks in his first California Classic Summer League game at Golden 1 Center and potentially signal a step forward for the franchise.The 19-year-old guard out of Arkansas did … in spurts.“It was a rough start; I was getting rushed a little bit,” Acuff said. “Something I don’t normally do, but I’m just glad we got the win, and I stayed poised down the stretch.”The box score shows Acuff scored a game-high 25 points in the Kings’ 79-76 win over the Brooklyn Nets. It also reflects inefficiency, as the 6-foot-2 guard started 1-for-10 and finished 9-for-29 from the field, including 1-for-9 from 3-point range. He added four assists, one rebound and a steal.But there were flashes of the scintillating offensive play of which the 2025-26 SEC Player of the Year, who led the conference in points (23.5) and assists (6.4) per game, is capable.NBA Draft 2026: Winners and Losers from Round 1Zach Harper and CJ MooreIn the fourth quarter, Acuff sliced through four defenders in the paint and floated one in off the back rim. With three minutes remaining and the Kings down 4 points, he snaked his way into the lane before lobbing to Cardwell, who slammed it home to cut the deficit to 72-70.On the next possession, Acuff left his defender guarding air with a lightning-quick crossover but missed a jumper from the free-throw line. Cardwell grabbed the offensive rebound and kicked it back out to a relocated Acuff for a second chance, this time from deep.73-72 Kings.It was Acuff’s first and only 3-pointer of the game.