Notre Dame is an age-old championship contender of UConn. It was there when a young Geno Auriemma made his mark in the Women’s NCAA Championship and it’s still here after he has become one of the winningest coaches in the NCAA. This is all because of the legacy of head coach Muffet McGraw, who has been carrying the same legacy as Head Coach Niele Ivey.

Coach Ivey, who came into the league as the fourth endowed Karen & Kevin Keyes Family Head Women’s Basketball Coach, had an arduous task of transforming the Fighting Irish into one that matched her style yet continued winning. And amid the success, Ivey’s journey has shaped her family’s and vice versa.

What is Javin Hunter’s Family Background?

Javin Edward Hunter was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 9, 1980. Sports runs in the blood of Hunter’s family, as even his father James Hunter was also a standout NFL player who played as a defensive back for the Detroit Lions, from 1976 to 1982. Hunter went to high school at Detroit Country Day School, a well-regarded institution in Beverly Hills, Michigan, where he began making a name for himself as a standout athlete.

How did Niele Ivey and Javin Hunter meet?

Niele Ivey and Javin Hunter first crossed paths at the University of Notre Dame, where both were standout athletes. Ivey was a star on the basketball court, while Hunter made a name for himself in football. Their time at Notre Dame brought them together, creating a bond built on shared experiences and the drive to succeed. Though their journeys took different paths, they remained connected, and in 2002, they welcomed their son, Jaden Ivey, who has since followed his athletic dreams, making his mark in professional basketball.

What is Javin Hunter’s background and career?

Hunter’s journey in football took off at the University of Notre Dame, where he became a standout player for the Fighting Irish, and by 2001, he was leading the team in receptions and receiving yards, proving himself as a key offensive weapon. He wasn’t just athletic on the football field; during his freshman year, he also briefly played basketball for Notre Dame before concentrating on football.

His college success led him to the 2002 NFL Draft, where the Baltimore Ravens picked him in the sixth round. As a rookie, he played in 12 games, making five receptions for 35 yards. One of his most electrifying moments came when he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against the New York Jets. Just as his career was gaining momentum, injuries took their toll, with a torn Achilles tendon forcing him to miss the entire 2003 season. He later had short stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers before ultimately stepping away from the game.

These days, Hunter is still involved in football, but differently. He now works as a captain with The Trust, an organization affiliated with the NFL Players Association, where he helps former players transition into life after football.

How is Niele and Javin’s Life as a Couple?

While specific details about their life as a couple are limited in public records, it is known that Niele primarily raised Jaden as a single mother. She balanced her professional basketball career with her responsibilities as a parent, often bringing Jaden to practices and games. This environment fostered a deep bond between mother and son, with Jaden frequently accompanying Niele to work and being immersed in the basketball world from an early age.

“Because of what she had to do not only on the court but off the court, being a single parent, that’s just saying how strong of a woman she is,” Jaden told Indystar in 2021. “Having my mother by my side all the time … it’s amazing knowing you have someone like that in your life.” 

Niele Ivey was in the WNBA when she was pregnant with Jaden. She would keep it a secret because of the stigma around it, more so, considering she was only in her rookie season. She braved through the summer, she says, scared and nervous. But once she gave birth, there was no separating the three: — Niele, Jaden, and basketball.

“It was Jaden and I, him being with me at work and me supporting him with all of his activities, school, and sports,” the Notre Dame HC told NBA.com. “Two peas in a pod, always together.”

What is Javin’s role in their family?

Despite Javin not always being around his son, the former NFL player has still maintained a presence in Jaden’s life, offering support and guidance. In a interview, Javin addressed rumors about Jaden’s relationship with Detroit Pistons coach Monty Williams, emphasizing Jaden’s commitment to being a good teammate and coachable player.

“Jaden was all into whatever the coaches wanted him to do and asked him to do. He was willing to work hard to do whatever the team needed to win, and that’s Jaden’s perspective. Jaden is very strong in his faith. He never lost faith in his own ability. He never wanted to rock the boat over there. He just wanted to be a good teammate and a coachable player.”

Although Javin wasn’t the primary parent raising Jaden, he has still been a supportive presence in his life. He has offered guidance and encouragement, especially as Jaden pursued his basketball career.

What is Javin Hunter’s Ethnicity?

Ethnicity – African-American
Religion – Not publicly available