Baylor announced Saturday that it had signed Ukrainian center Kate Koval, who left LSU several weeks ago after coach Kim Mulkey added a Russian player to the Tigers’ roster. Koval’s transfer became possible after the NCAA granted a legislative-relief waiver earlier this week, permitting her to enter the transfer portal outside its standard window.
The Associated Press received that information from a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Koval described her decision in a social media post last week. She said Russia’s war against Ukraine had affected people close to her, including those killed or wounded, and that missile strikes damaged places where she grew up and first played basketball. Those circumstances caused her to question whether LSU was right for her.
She also said roster decisions are part of college basketball, but that her principles and support for Ukraine guided her choice. Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, and the two countries have been at war since then.
Koval will play for Baylor coach Nicki Collen. Collen said the 6-foot-5 center can add inside scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, while her perimeter play could expand the offense. Koval’s LSU averages last season were 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. At Notre Dame in 2024-25, her first college season, she posted 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
