Bennett points to Weaver while Low recovers

PULLMAN — When Derrick Low went down with a broken foot during the Washington State Cougars’ third basketball practice of the year in mid-October, head coach Dick Bennett figured he’d have to play the first part of the season without a true point guard.

Low had assumed the starting duties as a freshman and had already shown he had the talent to take on the job. His injury left a void on WSU’s roster as the team didn’t have, in Bennett’s estimation, another player with a similar skill set.

Now, one week away from the team’s first exhibition game of the season, Bennett would like to amend his previous remarks. Another freshman, Kyle Weaver, is his guy.

“He distinguished himself. He’s got a rare gift of passing the ball,” Bennett said, affirming that the Beloit, Wis., native has claimed the job while Low is absent. “I think he could be a really fine player. I don’t think I realized that he’s quite as good as he is.”

Bennett had been considering redshirting Weaver this season, as the 6-foot-5 guard weighs 185 pounds and needs to add strength. But Low’s injury opened the door for someone to make a positive impression, and Weaver has done just that. Low is expected to be back before Pacific-10 Conference play begins, probably in December.

“(Weaver’s) not as strong, but he’s got real good legs and tremendous vision. He clearly will do the ball-handling,” Bennett said. “He surprises me with his ability to do some things in traffic. His vision is possibly one of the best that I’ve coached.”

Weaver said he played some point guard in high school, but largely stuck to shooting guard and small forward. Still, he said he’s surprised himself with his ability to adapt to the point guard position and the college game in general as the Cougars gear up for the 2004-05 season.

“I’ve played (point guard) before, but not at this level,” Weaver said. “It lights a little fire there. I never thought I would have this situation being a freshman coming in.”

Weaver was a captain at Beloit Memorial High School, one of the more powerful programs in the state of Wisconsin, where he averaged 18.1 points a game as a senior.

His ability to take over the point guard role – Bennett said his size won’t allow him to play major minutes, but he will be able to handle much of them – has also helped clear some of his elder teammates from having to share the point guard responsibilities.

In particular, senior Thomas Kelati, who was the team’s second-leading scorer a year ago as an off-guard, will stay at that position for much of the non-conference season instead of taking over more point guard duties.

“You see him growing, too, with each practice,” Kelati said of Weaver. “It has helped me out. That’s one of the reasons I was excited about Derrick Low, just because I wasn’t going to have to play that point guard spot. And then Kyle stepped in. He’s 6-5, and he can feel the defense so well. He’s such a great passer and has a good feel for the game.”