Baylor announced Saturday that Kate Koval will join the program after the NCAA granted a transfer waiver to the former LSU center. Koval left LSU after the April deadline for entering the NCAA transfer portal. She said she departed after LSU signed 17-year-old Russian post player Anna Minaeva.
Koval was born and raised in Ukraine. She said her father is a drone operator in Ukraine’s military and that Russian attacks have killed or wounded people close to her. LSU coach Kim Mulkey, who formerly led Baylor, had spoken with Koval before the staff began recruiting Minaeva and indicated the players could represent their respective countries, according to the report.
Koval later said she was uncomfortable with that setup.
The 6-foot-5 Koval played her freshman year at Notre Dame and made the ACC All-Freshman Team. She then joined LSU for the 2025-26 season, appearing in 35 games and starting 17. Her averages were 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, while she shot 56% from the field.
She had been projected to start at center for LSU this season. Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval can help as a scorer, passer and shot blocker, adding size and interior ability on both ends. Baylor went 25-9 last season and returns one starter, senior guard Taliah Scott, who led the team with 19.7 points per game.
