The 1996–97 Jackson State Tigers basketball team represented Jackson State University in the 1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.

The Tigers, led by 8th-year head coach Andy Stoglin, played their home games at the Williams Assembly Center in Jackson, Mississippi as members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

After finishing the conference regular season tied for second in the standings, Jackson State won the SWAC tournament to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

16 seed in the Southeast region, the Tigers were beaten by No.

1 seed Kansas in the opening round.