COEUR d'ALENE - Masin Hawkins is shooting hoops almost every day. He plans to be on the court for Hoopfest this summer, too.

He's studying at home, playing the occasional video game and even finding time to root for his beloved Miami Heat.

He's feeling stronger, better, each week.

Not bad for a 15-year-old who had a heart transplant in December.

"Good," Masin said Tuesday when asked how he was feeling.

The Post Falls teen was visiting Lakes Magnet Middle School for an American Heart Association fundraiser that featured music, games, basketball, encouraging talks from teachers and some ear-splitting cheers and applause from students and staff.

Masin appreciated the school's efforts to raise money for the AHA and also raise awareness that heart disease affects young people, too.

"It happened to me, and it sucks what you have to go through," he said.

The teen's appearance at the Coeur d'Alene school highlighted the "Hoops 4 Hearts" fundraiser

Health and PE teacher Corey Comstock headed up the event which raised $1,300 last year, and hopefully, $2,000 this year.

"I take a lot of pride in doing something as a school, and creating a positive, fun environment, something the kids look forward to, something the staff looks forward to," he said.

Students contributed money by participating in a three-on-three basketball tournament, and also paying for a bracelet that waived their school uniform rule for a day.

Comstock said student response to Hoops 4 Hearts was strong. Lakes was the top fundraising school for AHA in the Spokane/North Idaho area, he added.

"You guys are all a huge part of that," Comstock told the students.

Lakes teacher Dave Eubanks, a heart transplant recipient five years ago, urged students to eat healthy and exercise more.

"Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in America," he said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women.

The CDC reported heart disease causes almost 25 percent of deaths in the United States.

In 2010, coronary heart disease alone was projected to cost the United States $108.9 billion,according to CDC.

"There's hardly a family in the United States that hasn't been affected," he said.

And heart woes aren't limited to older folks, Eubanks said.

When he asked if any students had to battle heart disease, a few hands went up.

"Masin can clearly tell you that heart problems aren't just for old people," the 65-year-old Eubanks said.

Both Comstock and Eubanks urged students to give up the chips and ice cream and go for fruits and veggies. Surrender the video game controller and take a walk outside. They called on them to make smart choices and work hard in class.

"We care about you guys and your health," Comstock said.

Masin collapsed without warning at Post Falls Middle School in March 2010 due to a cardiomyopathy heart muscle disease that resulted in an enlarged heart.

He later received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), an electrical impulse generator, and was placed on medications.

He caught pneumonia and was admitted to Sacred Heart for nearly three months until a donation came.

Today, "he's looking forward to a long and happy life," Eubanks said, and will be playing plenty of hoops this summer.

"This is all thanks to God and two brilliant surgeons," Eubanks said.

Masin's grandmother, Sherry Moen of Spokane, said he has always been athletic and competitive.

"I'll tell you what, he never gave up one more minute," she said. "He's out there right now, and it's just a blessing."

Masin said he's happy to be healthy and feels he's almost back to where he was before his heart trouble.

He undergoes cardio rehabilitation three times a week, shoots hoops and studies at home. He hopes to be able to return to Post Falls High School next year when his immune system is ready.

Masin hopes students heed the message of Hoops 4 Hearts.

"Just be healthy," he said.