Baltimore ? Juan Dixon looked out of his aunt’s City Hall office window, watching hundreds gather to celebrate with the NCAA champion Maryland Terrapins.

The All-American guard reflected on the moment, and the road he traveled from a troubled life in Baltimore to national prominence as an athlete.

“It’s a special day, something that I’ve dreamed of for a long time,” Dixon said. “I’m from the Baltimore area, and we were able to accomplish something special for the state of Maryland, and now I’m getting a lot of support from a lot of Baltimoreans.”

Dixon spoke while his aunt, City Council President Sheila Dixon, sat nearby behind her desk. She was surrounded by posters reading “Juan-derful” with her nephew’s red number “3.”

“I had a long journey, and I got through a lot, but I stayed strong,” he said.

Through it all, Dixon said he never thought of giving up. That’s a message the senior of hoping to deliver to young people.

“Always believe in yourself,” said MVP of the Final Four.

Dixon also spoke about how fortunate his family has been since the loss of his parents, heavy drug users who died from AIDS. Dixon is on a committee for a new city anti-drug campaign, called “Baltimore Believe,” which is urging residents to get more involved in the war on drugs.

Mayor Martin O’Malley received a basketball signed by the team, the players walked outside to greet the fans.