Aaron King sat in his old bedroom on Jan. 20, staring at his computer screen, waiting for his name to appear.

King had returned to his hometown of Denver, Colo., after spending the last four years of his life in Raleigh leading the offensive attack for N.C. State’s soccer program.

He finished his career with 44 goals, leading the Wolfpack for three straight years in the category.

On that day in January, cooped up in his room, watching team after team choose players other than him in the 2006 Major League Soccer Draft, King became nervous.

“There were a lot of jitters because you don’t know where — or if — you’re going. It was nerve-racking,” King said. “I couldn’t sleep the whole week, but I knew I just had to be patient and wait it out.”

When the fourth and final round began to wind down, the Colorado Rapids and D.C. United, both teams King said were interested in him, passed the forward up.

He couldn’t watch any more. He needed a break.

“When they didn’t pick me I was in shock and I stopped watching it for a second to go down and get a drink,” King said. “Then I heard my grandma yelling.”

King was selected as the very last pick in the draft — by the Los Angeles Galaxy, last year’s MLS champion.

He trained for two weeks with L.A., working on many of the same techniques and drills he did at State.

“I played decent, but not my best. It was kind of rough at times getting used to everything, but I got a few things done,” King said.

But while boarding a plane heading off to another training location, King received word that he was traded to the Colorado Rapids, based in his hometown of Denver.

“It’s a lot more relaxing to be home,” King said. “I’ve got plenty of people here supporting me.”

Those here in Raleigh said they believe King will succeed at the next level. Assistant coach Dan Popik said King’s speed and finishing ability are his best two assets.

“Obviously he has a lot of speed, but his finishing ability is underestimated,” Popik said. “He doesn’t need 10 chances to score, especially when he’s around the box.”

Sophomore El Hadj Cisse, who started for the Pack alongside King, said he learned a lot from the pro player.

“He taught me how to be patient and how to really love the game,” Cisse said. “He was always positive and he was always saying that everything would be all right.”

King has done some traveling in his short time in professional soccer. He made trips to Mexico and Miami, where the Rapids scrimmaged against other teams, and then to Spain, where they went through training and conditioning.

“It’s all so we can adjust to being on the road a lot, since that’s the toughest way to play,” King said. “When you’re on the road as much as we’ve been, you get used to it.”

Despite being a rookie constantly on the road, King said he has avoided any hazing rituals.”A few guys got mohawks, but I’ve escaped most of that stuff,” he said. “The older guys knew what it’s like to be a rookie, so they were nice.”

King will hope to follow his illustrious NCAA career with a successful professional career to match. He said he is working hard to adjust to his new role of coming off the bench and helping his team where he can.

“In college, you get a scholarship, and it’s basically guaranteed that you’ll play and you’ll be there for a certain amount of time,” King said