"Even when I got on him during games, even knowing his limitations."

Low, the three-time Hawai'i State Player of the Year out of Iolani, was expected to contribute to the Cougars immediately.

Just as preseason practices were beginning, Low broke a bone in his right foot, and it was estimated that he would return in 6 to 8 weeks. Low said doctors told him he would likely return in time for this Saturday's game against Portland.

Instead, Low made his collegiate debut Dec. 7 against Gonzaga, playing 10 minutes and taking three shots, all missed 3-pointers, in a 54-52 loss.

"I think I just healed fast," he said.

Saturday he started, playing 15 minutes and grabbing one rebound and dishing out one assist with two turnovers in a 49-46 win over BYU.

"I feel pretty good, my ankle feels good," Low said. "There's no pain or anything, I don't have any trouble with it."

Low broke the bone below the knuckle on the baby toe of his right foot while contesting a shot and landing on another player's foot on Oct. 17, the second day of practice. He had surgery on Oct. 20, where doctors cut a small, 2-inch incision and inserted a pin.

While he was out, he lifted weights and did a lot of swimming and jogging in the pool to keep up his cardiovascular fitness.

He had to wear a walking boot during his recovery process, and found walking an adjustment after being in the boot for about a month.

"The doctor told me I had to learn how to walk on it," Low said. "He told me I wouldn't rehurt it or anything, and I soon as he told me that, I was OK.

"After I took the boot off, I was walking on it. We were slowly jogging it the next week, sliding on it the next week, and then running and sprinting."

He said he was most tentative about planting and pushing off of his foot.

Low's quick recovery time also helped because of the type of injury he suffered.

His roommate, freshman center Chris Henry, sprained his ankle around the time Low was injured.

"We were both recovering at the same time, and his is still hurting and mine isn't giving me any trouble," Low said. "People have been saying (my injury is) not as bad as a sprained ankle," Low said.

He was cleared to play before the Cougars' Dec. 4 game against Oklahoma State, but decided to rest one more day, which turned out to be a good decision. Oklahoma State defeated Washington State, 81-29.

It made Low's return to the team all the more important, according to coach Bennett.

"Let's just say we have many limitations, and without a solid point guard, those limitations are magnified," Bennett said.

He said the team doesn't have another true point guard besides Low, and while Low was out the Cougars used other players in that position.

"The day after the Oklahoma State game, we practiced and I felt really good, I felt confident," Low said.

Despite being "heavy-legged and slow-footed," because of his injury, according to Bennett, Low should be close to being ready for Pac-10 conference play, which begins at the end of this month.

"From a physical standpoint, he's skilled, he's strong, he has been well-prepared, both physically and mentally by his coaches and his father, and he's in a system that emphasizes team, and he's very much a team player," Bennett said. "He's getting an opportunity as a freshman that a lot of freshmen don't get. Anything he gets this year is going to be valuable for him down the road."

Low had the advantage of meeting and training with his teammates during the summer, when he stayed in Pullman, Wash., attending summer school.

"That helped me a lot, because my teammates were very supportive of me, they were kind of down when I got hurt," he said.

Note: East Side Grill carries live feeds of the Washington State men's basketball games. For more information, call 952-6555.