Kate Koval of Ukraine leaves LSU after Kim Mulkey signs Russian player

Kate Koval of Ukraine leaves LSU after Kim Mulkey signs Russian player.

Key points

• This summer, Koval represented Ukraine on the international stage by playing for her native country in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women's World Cup.
• Koval left Ukraine in 2021 to play basketball at a high school in Long Island, New York.
• Nevertheless, the timing of Koval's departure comes 10 days after LSU unveiled the signing of Anna Minaeva, a 6-foot-5 center from Russia.
• According to research by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, casualties for the war are estimated to have surpassed 2 million individuals.
• Koval additionally averaged 8.3 points per game on 56% shooting from the floor.

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Kate Koval, who was projected to be the starting center for LSU's women's basketball team this upcoming season, is leaving the program.

In practice, the Tigers shared the news on the evening of Monday, Aug. 24 with a statement from head coach Kim Mulkey.

"Kate came to see me on Sunday and told me that after much consideration, she will be leaving the program for personal reasons, " Mulkey remarked. "We will respect her privacy on her decision, but we had a long talk regarding it, and it was a hard decision for her. I know it is hard since she loves LSU. Kate is a great person. She has to do what she feels is right for her, and we fully backing her in that. We all wish her the best."

Since the transfer portal is not open, Koval will probable have to wait until April to enter the portal and join a new team where she can play out her final two seasons of NCAA eligibility.

It is unclear as to exactly why Koval is leaving LSU almost two months before the season begins. Sports International Group, the agency that represents Koval, did not immediately respond to USA TODAY Sports' request for comment.

Koval is from Ukraine, the country Russia introduced a full-scale invasion on more than four years ago. The two sides remain at war and Koval's father, Oleksandr, is a drone operator for the Ukrainian military.

In an interview last week with nola.com, Mulkey remarked she discussed Minaeva potentially joining the team with Koval before her signing was official.

I want you to understand I'm not here to ask you to change how you feel about Russia, Mulkey recalled telling Koval. I'm just here out of respect for your family and out of respect for you to let you know. Since I know how personal it is for you.

"Know that what I have to do in this business, I cannot make a decision to not recruit somebody that can help our program because of a conflict between two countries."

Mulkey continued that perhaps the two players could serve as "ambassadors" for friendship against the backdrop of the war.

According to research by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, casualties for the war are estimated to have surpassed 2 million individuals. During the first week of the war in 2022, the gym where Koval learned how to play basketball was bombed.

Koval left Ukraine in 2021 to play basketball at a high school in Long Island, New York. There, she blossomed into a five-star recruit, ranked as the fifth-best overall prospect in the 2023 class by ESPN, a player that almost every Power 4 school wanted. A 6-foot-5 post, she signed with Notre Dame and created the ACC's All-Freshman team as a rookie in the 2024-25 season.

After Notre Dame was eliminated in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Koval was one of a number of Fighting Irish players to enter the transfer portal. She landed at LSU where she began 17 of 35 games this past season and was second on the team in rebounds (6.3) and blocks (1.2) per game. Koval additionally averaged 8.3 points per game on 56% shooting from the floor. She ranked 20th nationally in offensive rebounding rate (17.4%) and 14th in defensive rating (72.2).

This summer, Koval represented Ukraine on the international stage by playing for her native country in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women's World Cup. Ukraine advanced to the quarterfinals while her LSU teammates MiLaysia Fulwiley and Mikaylah Williams led Team USA to the championship. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around kate Koval of Ukraine leaves LSU after Kim Mulkey signs Russian player point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.