To come to Michigan State University's Lyman Briggs pre-medical program was a dream, but to earn a spot on a Division I basketball team was unimaginable.

“I knew coming out of high school that I knew I could go a lot further with academics than any kind of recruiting offer I was going to get playing sports", said redshirt junior Colby Wollenman. “So, I figured I would hang up the shoes and be done with sports because I wanted to go to a school on an academic scholarship."

Wollenman was a star at his small high school in Big Horn, Wyoming. The 6-foot-7 athlete shined in his three sports of football, basketball, and soccer. With Big Horn's population under 500 and his graduating class of only 33 students, it made him one of the most notable athletes in the area.

Wollenman was a key factor of his basketball team's 28-0 record his senior year, and eventually paved the way for Big Horn High School to win a Wyoming 2A state championship.

While getting several offers from small universities to continue his athletics, Wollenman stuck with his dream of attending a Division I school on an academic scholarship. What attracted him the most to Michigan State was its pre-med program, as well as the scholarships offered to him.

Wollenman enrolled at Michigan State with no intention of trying out for the basketball team. That would all change after being encouraged by friends that he met while playing intramural.

“When I came to school here, I still loved sports so I played pick-up basketball and flag football," Wollenman said. “While playing pick-up basketball I met some kids, all whom were talking about trying out. So I kind of went out on a limb and went to the tryout with almost zero intention of making the team…it worked out pretty well."

Coach Tom Izzo saw something and offered him a spot on the team. The only thing holding him back was his strenuous pre-med schedule that would be interrupted by an even busier basketball schedule.

Wollenman has an overall GPA of 3.9, and recently scored a 39 on the MCAT in preparation for medical school. With his future in mind, Wollenman decided to seek out the help of an advisor.

“I don't think anybody ever really said, 'I don't know if you should do pre-med with basketball,' necessarily", Wollenman said. “I think some advisors recommended me to lighten my load."

With the help from outside sources, Wollenman made the decision to spread out his undergraduate studies over five years. The extra year not only allows him to participate one more year on the court, but it also helps Wollenman stay a top physiology student.

In Wollenman's freshman year, he was participating in pre-med research. After speaking with a professor, he decided to drop the research to dedicate more time to basketball.

“Yes, you do have to cut some things out, you know like washing the dishes", Wollenman said, laughing. “That type of stuff has to take a hit sometimes. Honestly though, if you get your time management down and get your priorities straight, then there is still time to hangout and relax. It's not as impossible as they make it out to be. It's all about time management."

While fans and critics spoke of the inconsistent 27-12 season record this past year, Izzo led the team to an NCAA Tournament bid and eventually to the Final Four, with Wollenman earning quality minutes.

“The tournament is always a blast but the Final Four is at another level", Wollenman said. “That's why they talk so much about getting there because it's an amazing experience. The experiences you get before the game is like a roller coaster ride, and then you get to play a game in front of 70,000 people in a stadium; it's really indescribable.

“Midway through the season I knew that I was going to get some playing time on this team and people were saying this is the worst team we've ever had. To turn that around and make it to a Final Four and know that I had an impact on a team that was a Final Four caliber team, it makes it that much more special."

In their Final Four game against Duke University, Wollenman was matched up against national player of the year candidate, Jahlil Okafor. Not only did he hold his own against a future pro, but recorded two points, and two rebounds on college basketball's biggest stage.

“What was special for me this year was that out of the four teams that I've been on here at Michigan State, this is the team that I have had the most impact on, and this is the one that made it to the Final Four", Wollenman said.

Wollenman is the only player in history from Wyoming to make it to the NCAA Final Four.

“It means a lot", Wollenman said. “Wyoming is a great state and it's really cool too, because there are a lot of good athletes in Wyoming that don't get recognized, because it's an under recruited area."

While Wollenman loves his home state, he also understands why Wyoming is not the most touted scouting area, because of its small population.

“To represent the state in the Final Four means a lot, because maybe I get to instill hope in some younger kids that have aspirations of playing Division I or play in high-level athletics", Wollenman said. “It's really cool for me and makes me proud of being a part of the team."

Izzo has taught him a great deal about humility. For example, being the star athlete to the guy at the end of the bench has made an impact on Wollenman's attitude.

“It's a mental obstacle and it's hard because you are just used to having all the confidence in the world because you are the guy, and now you have to work with no confidence and build that confidence from thin air", Wollenman said.

With big prospects committing to Michigan State like McDonald's All American center Caleb Swanigan, power forward Deyonta Davis, and shooting guard Matt McQuaid, it's questionable if Wollenman will get the same playing time that he did this year.

“It's hard to say what's going to happen because everything is up in the air", Wollenman said. “No one's playing time is guaranteed. When you have so much talent coming in, it all comes down to the summer and who's willing to put the most time in."

And Wollenman's planning on doing just that.