UM Men's Hoops Signs Berumen

May 1, 2001

Coral Gables, FL – Head Basketball Coach Perry Clark announces the signing of 6-9, 255 forward/center Rafael Berumen (Simi Valley, CA) to a national letter of intent to attend the University of Miami this fall.

Berumen attended Los Angeles City College last season and averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists per game in leading the Cubs to a 32-4 record and an eighth consecutive South Coast Conference title. Los Angeles City College ended the season ranked No. 1 in the state.

“Berumen gives us a low-post player that can really score,” said Clark. “He is mature and clever around the basket and will add another scoring weapon to our team.”

A first-team All-Conference selection, Berumen stepped up his play in conference games averaging 26 points and 10 rebounds per contest. Los Angeles City College finished its conference season with a perfect 8-0 record.

“Rafael is very crafty around the basket and can score a lot of points,” said LACC head coach Mike Miller. “But he is more than just a scorer, he is probably the best passer I have ever coached at any position. He is just a great player.”

Berumen played one season at New Mexico (1999-00) before transferring to Los Angeles City College. He played his high school basketball at Simi Valley High School in Simi Valley, CA where he was rated as the nation’s No. 5 prep forward by Athlon prior to his senior season.

A four-year starter at Simi Valley, Berumen averaged 24.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a senior earning first-team All-State honors by Cal-Hi Sports magazine. He finished third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,960 points and second on its career rebounding list (941).