Teddy Napalit is known to many classmates as the crazy, funny jokester who is always smiling and having a good time.

But many don’t know that when he was 8,  he and his mother had to pack up and move from their home in the Philippines to the U.S.

They spoke little English, but had a lot of hope for a bigger and brighter future.

Napalit had trouble fitting in and making friends his first year in the country until he met Jason Hagan.

“The transition was very tough for me because I didn’t know how to speak English and didn’t know anyone,” said Napalit. “Thankfully, I met Jason who was my best friend when I got there and made school life a lot easier.”

Napalit does not know where he would be now if it was not for Hagan befriending him when he first arrived.

In the Philippines, basketball is the most popular sport and part of many people’s lifestyle.

“Rain or shine, flooded or not, everyone plays basketball,” said Napalit.

That is still true for him.

As the starting forward for the boys varsity basketball team, Napalit hopes to have a strong season entering his second year on varsity.

“Teddy is one of the hardest workers on the team, no question,” said senior guard Chance Nielsen. “It shows through his play.”

Napalit says his cousin Stanley is  the reason for his hard-working attitude on the court.

“Hearing how hard he worked from his old high school coach makes me want to work even harder and try to be even better,” said Napalit.

Napalit plans to hang up the high tops after this season and go to college to get a nursing degree, and eventually become a nurse like his mother.