The redshirt freshman forward stepped onto the court at Breslin Center for the first time last Monday against Portland.

“It really was a dream come true,” Kaminski said. “It was one of my dreams to play college basketball, and at one point in my life I didn’t think I’d make it. I didn’t get to touch a ball, but I really didn’t care. I was just out there.”

He didn’t touch the ball against Portland, and only played two minutes, but it was an experience he said he’ll never forget.

Kaminski was suspended for the Spartans’ two exhibition games, as well as the regular season opener, after not meeting head coach Tom Izzo’s academic requirements.

Although he was reinstated to the team for the matchup against then-No. 1 Kentucky, he didn’t see the court in a 78-74 win.

“It was really disappointing to me and my family,” he said. “I handled the punishments, and it’s time to move on and keep getting better. I went through my suspension and I thought I really could be playing right now.”

Including Kaminski, there are 12 players that are expected to have a regular role in the team.

With a limited number of minutes available for everybody — not just underclassmen — it’s going to be hard for Kaminski to break into the lineup.

Still, Izzo said he’s doing his best to give everybody an opportunity to make their case.

“I’m trying,” Izzo said. “I’m trying to see which one of the 12 play their way in, and which one of the 12 play their way out. You’ve got to get a chance to do that.”

Before Kaminski arrived at MSU, he said he was low on confidence, and only found his feet when he went to Saginaw to work out and started to get offers from college programs.

His dad told him after his suspension was up that when he gets in a nervous situation, such as playing big time college basketball, he should focus on the little things, and he’ll fall back to what he knows.

Kaminski scored his first points as a Spartan, a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left against Virginia Tech in the semifinal game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Friday night.

He might have just three points in his short MSU career so far, but he has the work ethic and motivation to get where he ultimately wants to go.

“I’ve worked my butt off my whole life to get here,” Kaminski said. “I’m working out with pros: (junior guard) Branden Dawson, (sophomore guard) Gary Harris (and senior guard) Keith Appling. They’re pros. It’s a miracle I get to work out with them everyday.”