AUSTIN, Texas -- Freddie Roland has seen a lot of young men come through his program as the longtime basketball coach at LBJ. Jordan Teal holds a special place for him.
“He loves to come hug on you and ask how you’re doing. I say 'Jordan, quit huggin' on me,'” said Roland. “He’s special, though, he’s special.”
Teal shares his infectious personality all over the school. He works with special needs students and recently posted a dancing video online with one of the students that has done more than one million views on social media.
“I’m blessed and giving other people blessings is amazing,” said Teal.
He also helps in the community, evidenced by something he did one day this summer.
“I had just started working like two weeks and one day got paid,” Teal said. “I saw a bunch of homeless people under the bridge, so I decided to give half my money to get burgers and go feed them.”
Teal excels in school as well, ranking in the top 10 percent of his class.
“I’m a student-athlete. I know classwork got me into college,” Teal said.
And he will go to college next year. He recently signed a scholarship to play at Texas A&M Commerce.
“Coming from a low poverty place it’s different being able to take care of my mom and going to college for free,” said Teal.
Before he heads off to college, he would love to help LBJ accomplish something as a program they come close to doing but haven’t achieved yet.
“Hopefully to win state, go for a deep run," he said.
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