Ja Morant donated MVSU jerseys Kicking off 2026 in a different way for HBCU hoops. Memphis Grizzlies star and mother Jamie Morant was surprised Mississippi Valley State UniversityThe women’s basketball team has new all-white uniforms and multiple colorways of Morant’s latest signature sneaker, the Nike Ja 3 — an upgrade that immediately adds pride, visibility and real-court value to a program that has long had to stretch every dollar. The news first broke with details on the giveaway coverage and gear package, including the sneakers’ bright color options and the team’s appreciation of the Morants’ continued support.
Ja Morant dons MVSU jerseys and amps up the full game day look
According to a report on the donation, the Morants presented the Devilettes with a new uniform and exclusive The Nike Ja 3 pairs in a variety of colorways— an eye-catching mix of blue and neon tones alongside crisp white jerseys that will stand out under the lights. The moment also traveled quickly on social media, where posts sharing the team’s message of thanks and pictures of the new facility garnered attention that small-budget Division I programs don’t always get to enjoy. You can see the team’s appreciation and visuals circulating through posts that help expand the story, including coverage and input linked to the original report and the Devilettes’ social accounts.
Why is this kind of support important to Mississippi Valley State athletics?
The gear and shoe push for Mississippi Valley State is never just cosmetic. The reality in many HBCU athletic departments, especially those competing in Division I with limited resources, is that the “extras” are often not extras at all; they’re the difference between feeling like you belong in a conversation and feeling like you’re constantly catching up. Recent reports have pointed to MVSU operating under some of the tightest financial conditions in Division I, where funding realities can shape everything from travel to game-day presentation. In that context, Ja Morant donated MVSU jerseys reads as both a morale boost and a statement: The Devilettes are worth the investment and HBCU women’s basketball deserves the spotlight.
The Nike Ja 3 moment is bigger than a shoe
There is also a layer of branding and performance that is important. Morant’s third signature model has been positioned by Nike as a shoe designed for fast, explosive play — exactly the kind of energy that defines his game and the defensive tempo that many programs rely on. Nike’s own release information and product notes highlight the Ja 3’s design intent and presentation, highlighting why it has meaningful flexibility to accommodate multiple pairs in rotation-ready colorways for college athletes. When an HBCU program is seen to shake off its current signature lineup, especially with an NBA face attached, that visibility can translate into more than social likes: it can help recruit conversations, build confidence, and create that sense of “we’re not an afterthought” that student-athletes carry into every matchup.
Ongoing involvement with Devilettes and HBCU hoops
This is not framed as a sudden gesture. Multiple reports state that Morant has previously endorsed Mississippi Valley State women’s basketball, most notably when the team previously received an unreleased colorway of Ja’s signature model, putting the Devilettes in rare company nationally at the time. This continuity is what makes this moment so resonant: it shows an example of connection and display, not just a donation to match the title. This kind of continued focus is important for HBCU women’s sports because it means that support for the next wave of athletes can be real, public, and consistent.
If you’re watching for a ripple effect, it also comes down to the intersection of culture and competition — as HBCU programs build identity and momentum, the wider sports world is finally paying more attention to what’s going on in SWAC gyms and beyond. For more Mississippi Valley State coverage, keep an eye on the MVSU archives and SWAC tag, and for more context on women’s hoops at HBCUs, the women’s basketball tag is updated as the season progresses.
