Ukrainian center Koval says she left LSU because team brought in Russian player
Summary
Ukrainian basketball player Kate Koval left LSU after the school signed a Russian player, citing her personal connection to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Koval hopes the NCAA will allow her to transfer to another school and continue playing this season.Key Facts
- Kate Koval is a Ukrainian center who played for LSU’s women’s basketball team.
- She left LSU because the team signed Anna Minaeva, a Russian player who previously played in Moscow.
- Koval’s father serves in the Ukrainian military fighting against Russia.
- She shared that people close to her have been harmed, and her hometown was hit by missile strikes.
- Koval did not know about the signing until after the NCAA transfer portal closed.
- She hopes the NCAA will let her transfer and play elsewhere in the 2026-27 basketball season.
- Last season, Koval averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 35 games for LSU.
- LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Koval left for personal reasons and respected her privacy.
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