Bejarano on the rise

Every spring underclassmen emerge onto the national scene, and Phoenix North High School shooting guard Daniel Bejarano is one of those prospects this spring.

At 6 feet 5, 200 pounds, Bejarano has a deadly combination of athleticism, scoring ability and poise with the basketball.

"Daniel plays every position for his high school team, but shooting guard is his college position," said Bejarano's travel team coach and high school assistant coach Ray Arvizu. "He can absolutely fill it up from anywhere, and he has a calmness with the basketball that you just don't see often.

"I know I'm biased in regard to Daniel," but I just haven't seen a shooting guard out there who has these tools and the athleticism that Daniel has."

Bejarano has proven his worth in front of Rivals.com with a couple 29-point performances, and a host of schools across the country will see his ability in the month of July.

"Arizona State has offered, and Arizona is on him strong as well," said Arvizu. "Daniel really likes Arizona State and likes Arizona as well. He likes the in-state schools but is open to anything. I just got off the phone with Indiana, and they have strong interest. Tennessee State also called today and want to offer Daniel as soon as they talk to him."

A long list of other schools are tracking Bejarano as well. UCLA, USC, California, Tennessee and SMU are a sampling of schools presently recruiting Bejarano.

"There is no doubt that if we had put Daniel out on the circuit earlier and promoted him, he would already be a nationally ranked prospect by now," said Arvizu. "We just felt it was better for Daniel to focus on getting better and academics. Now he is ready to handle the attention that his ability is going to bring to him. I expect a lot of offers to come his way when schools can begin calling him."