DATE: Thursday, September 11, 1997          TAG: 9709110458

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   25 lines

CIAA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WON'T RETURN TO SPARTANS THIS SEASON TAJAI YOUNG AVERAGED 12.8 POINTS PER GAME LAST YEAR.

Swingman Tajai Young, the CIAA rookie of the year last season, will not return to the Norfolk State men's basketball team, the school announced Wednesday.

Spartans coach Mike Bernard learned of Young's departure from Mt. Zion Christian Academy coach Joel Hopkins, Young's high school coach. Bernard said he has not spoken to Young and did not know his future plans.

``I'm baffled,'' Bernard said.

The 6-5 Young averaged 12.8 points and 3.4 rebounds as a sophomore last season for the Spartans, who finished with a 17-10 record. He was projected to be one of Norfolk State's top returners along with 6-6 Greg Jones, an all-rookie pick last season, and 6-6 Michael Beckles.

The Spartans now have just four scholarship returnees heading into their debut season as a Division I team.

``We had a very good recruiting year,'' Bernard said. ``I feel we have people who are capable of stepping in and doing very well.''

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