Kate Koval Leaves LSU Over Signing of Russian Player

Kate Koval, a former center for LSU and a Ukrainian native, announced her departure from the team last month due to LSU's decision to sign a Russian player. This confirmation came in an Instagram post, following LSU coach Kim Mulkey's earlier statement that Koval left for personal reasons.

Koval expressed that she learned about the signing after the transfer portal deadline had passed. She hopes the NCAA will consider her situation and allow her to transfer to another school for the 2026-27 season. The 6-foot-5 junior has two years of eligibility remaining and had previously started 17 games for LSU, averaging 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds.

In her statement, Koval highlighted the personal impact of the war in Ukraine, mentioning her father's service in the military and the loss of life among those close to her. She had initially intended to continue her career at LSU but reconsidered after the recruitment of Anna Minaeva, a Russian teenager. Koval acknowledged the difficulty of the situation and expressed gratitude for her time at LSU, emphasizing her commitment to her values and country.