Daryl 'MaJic' Dorsey (186-G-81, college: S.Indiana) had a pretty good week in the development of his professional basketball career this past week. He had an excellent workout for an NBA team, got the call he had been waiting for, learned that preparation is a huge key to success which helped him reach several important personal goals, and contributed through performance and sacrifice to the ultimate team goal - winning a Championship.

To start off the week, Dorsey was called in for an official workout with the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Rome Gladiators Head Coach and GM, Harold Ellis, who is also an advanced scout for the Hawks, stated that Dorsey performed surprisingly well. Ellis said, "a lot of people are beginning to realize just how good "MaJic" really is."

Though his name was not called on Draft day, Dorsey quickly got invites from various teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Seattle Supersonics, to join their NBA Summer League teams later this month. Dorsey said, "I was not too concerned with whether my name was going to be be called [during the two rounds of the draft]. I've felt confident that I will get my chance in someone's camp." Last Tuesday evening, while watching first round games of the WBA playoffs at Rome's Winthrop-King Centre and preparing his team's ensuing quarterfinal match-up schedule for the next night, "MaJic's" teammates were periodically going to an adjacent room to watch the draft. Dorsey was intently studying his next opponent, the Magic City Court Kings or Tunica Gamblers, who were battling on the court for the rights to face his Rome Gladiators in the WBA Quarters.

The NBA picks drained out, while Dorsey -- undrafted and unphased -- set the tone for what turned out to be a big 121-104 playoff win the next night over Magic City -- a game Rome trailed by thirteen late, before Dorsey bolted for 16 fourth quarter points, leading the Gladiators to the victory. Dorsey finished the game with a game-high 32 points, 7 assists and 2 steals. Dorsey's homework paid off, and though he was not drafted the night before to the "League," he was continuing his maturation as a true "pro."

Illustrating why he is developing into a consumate pro, "MaJic" was back at the Quarterfinal games on Thursday evening, scouting his next potential opponent. The #4 seeded Arkansas ArchAngels were facing the #5 seeded Gulf Coast Bandits, with the winner playing #1 Rome in the Semis on Friday. Dorsey spoke about how he would match-up against Arkansas PG Myron Allen or the Bandits' Terrence Simmons. He wrote down each player's offensive and defensive tendencies on a small notepad. His homework would pay dividends again on Friday evening against Gulf Coast. Despite foul trouble, Dorsey spurted for nine third quarter points, leading Rome back from an 11 point deficit. Dorsey finished with 15 points, as the Gladiators held on to defeat the Bandits 104-101, advancing to the WBA Finals.

Before the Semi-final victory over Gulf Coast, Dorsey was able to realize a goal he set for himself when the WBA season began. In training camp, Dorsey asked if he was still considered to a be a rookie in the WBA. When he learned that he was considered to be a first-year player - thus a rookie under WBA rules - Dorsey stated, "I have a Rookie of the Year award in the ABA, my goal is to be the MVP of the WBA." League Commissioner Mike Glenn called Dorsey's name to receive the 2005 WBA Most Valuable Player award before a capaciy crowd. Dorsey, who was 2nd in the league in scoring (23.6) and 1st in assists (10.1), led the Rome Gladiators to the Central Conference Title, WBA regular season Title, a league-best 21-3 record, a all-time WBA record 9-straight wins (twice), and the best record overall record in the WBA's two-year history.

With the WBA MVP-recognition in hand, it was time to go after the ultimate goal - a WBA Championship. Rome faced the #2 seeded Mississippi HardHats in the WBA Finals on Saturday night in Rome. As always, Dorsey was up to the task, but little did he know that his contribution would come in a form in which he has never been accustom. Little did he know the next chapter in his development and maturation would include the ultimate sacrifice -- the perverbial "take one for the team."  With his scoring opportunities limited in the first half and the Gladiators down early, Dorsey exited the game. With reserve guard, Damien McSwine providing productive minutes, Rome was able to generate a second quarter surge to re-take the lead. Dorsey, though wanting desparately to be in the game, was forced to sacrifice his usual playing time for the good of the cause. Rome kept the HardHats at bey through out the third quarter. With Rome up by as many as 10 late in the game, Mississippi charged back -- and Dorsey re-entered the game with two minutes, along side McSwine, to provide extra ballhandling on the floor, to quell the defensive pressure. "MaJic" netted two insurance freethrows and his team held on to take a 103-100 win - and claim the 2005 WBA Championship. Dorsey, who played only 21 minutes in the game, finished with 15 points less than his season scoring average. McSwine, injured much of the season, displayed the clutch play that Dorsey was accustomed to providing.

Final goal reached? Not hardly! Just the next in a long line of goals the self-promoting Dorsey has set his eyes on. Dorsey has learned many things in his season in the World Basketball Association. He has learned that he can reach the goals he has set. He has also learned that personal sacrifice and humility are sometimes necessary to reach certain goals.  If you are thinking... there is no way Dorsey was able to handle well not getting a lot of playing time, then you would be right. No winner takes well having to watch from the sidelines. Winners want to be on the floor, with ball in hand, taking the clutch jumpers, dishing the difficult 'dimes' and leading the team to victory. MaJic Dorsey wanted to be in the game for the full forty-eight minutes of that Championship Game - and you better believe he will let you know that! But, he handled it with humility and was elated with the win. It is that very ingredient that led to Dorsey being voted as the 2005 Most Valuable Player in the WBA. He is one of the main reasons the Rome Gladiators finished with a 23-3 record and won the 2005 WBA Championship. That is why Daryl "MaJic" Dorsey has developed into a true professional basketball player - a real winner.