Baylor has signed 6-foot-5 Ukrainian center Kate Koval after she left LSU several weeks ago. Her transfer became possible when the NCAA approved a legislative relief waiver earlier this week, allowing her to enter the portal outside the normal window. A person familiar with the situation confirmed the development to The Associated Press anonymously because the person was not authorized to speak publicly.
Koval said in a social media post last week that Russia’s war against Ukraine had affected people close to her, including people who were killed or wounded. She also said missile strikes damaged places where she grew up and first played basketball.
Those circumstances caused her to question whether LSU was the right fit, she wrote, while noting that roster decisions are part of college basketball. Koval said she needed to follow her values and support her country. LSU coach Kim Mulkey had added a Russian player before Koval’s departure.
Koval will play for Baylor coach Nicki Collen, who said the center’s interior scoring, rebounding and shot blocking will help the team. Collen also cited Koval’s perimeter play as a way to expand the offense. Koval averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for LSU last season.
She averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds at Notre Dame during the 2024-25 season. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the countries remain at war.