Trevor Bohnhoff: Working Behind The Scenes
12/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Tyler Galloway, MSU Athletic Communications
After arriving on campus as a freshman in 2012, Trevor Bohnhoff's Michigan State basketball career got off to an unlikely start at the university's IM West facility.
"I was getting recruited by a lot of D-II schools, but I just didn't really want to go to a smaller college," said Bohnhoff. "I wanted to have that big college feel, so I knew I was probably going to end up here because my brother went here and I really liked it. When I got here, I started playing IM with a bunch of guys. Talking to them, they were all going to go do the walk-on tryout. So, I was like `why not?'
"From there, I ended up making it. There were three of us for the rest of the year. Then after that, I was the only one that kept going."
Since that time, Bohnhoff has transitioned from a timid freshman player to a leader both on and off the court for the Spartans.
"Freshman year, I was trying not to be in the way throughout practice and stuff," said the 6-7 junior forward. "I was just trying not to screw up and be helpful when I could. As I've been here longer, you get a feel for practices and the everyday routine.
"So, I try to make sure everybody's doing the right thing and helping guys out if they're struggling. Like Kenny [Goins], he's a freshman so I've tried to help him out a little bit and make sure he knows everything that's going on."
Now in his third year at Michigan State, Bohnhoff's playing experience has helped the self-proclaimed introvert become a little more outgoing.
"I'm kind of an introvert and keep to myself a lot. Being around these guys brought me out of my shell a lot," added Bohnhoff. "I hated being in front of big groups of people, I kind of had that stage fright thing. We've had to do Midnight Madness, where you come down in front of everybody. So, I've definitely gotten a lot more comfortable with that and helping coach teams at camps as well."
MSU head coach Tom Izzo has utilized walk-on players for much of his coaching career and Bohnhoff, along with current players Kenny Goins and Matt Van Dyk, are the latest ones trying to have an impact on the program in any way they can. Teammates Keenan Wetzel and Colby Wollenman began their Spartan careers as walk-ons, and have worked their way onto scholarship this season. Even Izzo can understand the situation, as he opened his career as a walk-on at Northern Michigan.
"It's a great experience. Since I've been here, he's shown me the work ethic and attention to detail that it takes to be successful at this level," said Bohnhoff on playing for Izzo.
The Saginaw native made his first appearance with the Spartans as a freshman in 2012, when MSU defeated rival Michigan, ranked No. 4 at the time, by 23 points at the Breslin Center. The experience was a memorable one for Bohnhoff, who recorded his first career point as a Spartan on a banked-in free throw with less than a minute remaining in the game. As he continues to gain experience and learn from a future hall of fame head coach, Bohnhoff hopes to factor into the Spartans' future plans.
"My freshman year when I got in against Michigan was a big one for me," recalled Bohnhoff. "We [the walk-ons] had just started dressing for a couple of games and then we blew out Michigan at home and the crowd was going nuts. Coach put all three of us walk-ons in there at the end. I wasn't even expecting to play, but I ended up going in and banking in my free throw because I had that much adrenaline pumping. That was probably one of my best moments here."
"I want to work more into a playing role. Kind of like what Colby [Wollenman] has done this year as far as getting minutes where we need them. I think I can be a contributing member of the team and help the guys out in any way I can."
One such opportunity came when the Spartans faced No. 11 Kansas in the 2014 Orlando Classic. Foul trouble had decimated the MSU frontcourt as centers Gavin Schilling and Matt Costello played a combined nine first-half minutes. Late in the half, Izzo turned to Bohnhoff looking for a few minutes. In fact, it was the first time that Bohnhoff had seen first-half minutes during his Spartan career.
Although Izzo would later joke that Bohnhoff's face showed surprise when he heard his name called, the Spartan coach also appreciated that Bohnhoff was ready when called upon. In two minutes, he grabbed one offensive rebound while also guarding freshman McDonald's All-American Cliff Alexander.
Michigan State will be looking to make its 18th straight appearance at the NCAA Tournament in 2015, the longest current streak among Big Ten schools and third-longest in the nation. Being a contributor for a national contender isn't something Bohnhoff envisioned for himself just a few short years ago, which makes being a part of the `March Madness' experience that much more exciting.
"The experience at the NCAA Tournament is crazy. It's something that I never really expected to be a part of," stated Bohnhoff. "Growing up, I was always watching the games and now actually being a part of that and competing against other great teams is just awesome."
Off the basketball court, Bohnhoff is currently pursuing a degree in physiology and has plans for medical school after graduation. A 2014 Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Bohnhoff is accustomed to reaching his goals in the classroom. On the court, he has a simple goal for himself and his role with the team as the Spartans continue to work towards yet another NCAA Tournament appearance.
"I just want to be a guy that leads by example and works hard day in and day out," said Bohnhoff. "Being a team guy that's always helping out my teammates is my main focus."
