Ex-LSU center Kate Koval has landed in Texas, officially signing with Baylor after the NCAA granted her a late transfer portal waiver last week.

The Ukraine international departed LSU after coach Kim Mulkey added a Russian recruit to the Tigers lineup, citing the ongoing war as motivation.

“While I understand and respect that roster decisions are a part of college basketball, I have to remain true to myself, my values, and my country,” Koval wrote on Instagram.

The 6-foot-5 junior joins the Bears — Mulkey’s former program — as the Big 12 stalwart aims to better last year’s second-round March Madness run.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Kate,” Baylor coach Nicki Collen said in a team statement. “She is an elite student with a big heart for others, and our fans will love her on and off the court.”

LSU center Kate Koval is on the move, after the NCAA granted her a late transfer portal waiver following last month’s abrupt departure from Baton Rouge.

The Ukraine international left the Tigers after head coach Kim Mulkey recruited Russian center Anna Minaeva. She subsequently cited Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine as motivation.

“My father serves in the Ukrainian military and takes tremendous pride in defending his country,” Koval posted to Instagram. “For me, this war is not distant or abstract.”

Koval has reportedly been granted a “legislative relief waiver,” and will be available to suit up for her new team as soon as she joins a roster.

The 6-foot-5 junior averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds across 35 games for LSU last season.

Kate Koval confirmed she left LSU after head coach Kim Mulkey added Russian recruit Anna Minaeva to the roster. The Ukrainian center shared her reasoning on Instagram on September 2nd, breaking weeks of silence around what Mulkey had initially called a "personal" decision.

Details Behind Kate Koval's Departure From LSU

Koval has a direct connection to Russia's ongoing invasion of her home country. Her father serves in the Ukrainian military, and she said people close to her have been killed and wounded in Russian attacks.

"For me, this war is not distant or abstract," Koval wrote.

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A post shared by Kate Koval (@kateekovall)

Koval's NCAA Women's Basketball Career in Jeopardy

The timing made the situation harder.

Mulkey informed Koval after the April 20th transfer portal deadline had already closed, leaving her without an immediate path to another program. She now needs an NCAA waiver to play elsewhere in 2026/27. Without one, she sits out the season and re-enters the portal in April of next year.

Mulkey stood by the move. She told Koval she could not pass on a recruit who could help the program "because of a conflict between two countries," and suggested both players could serve as "ambassadors."

Koval averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds last season while starting 17 games for LSU. She has two years of NCAA women's basketball eligibility remaining.

Kate Koval is out at LSU women's basketball, exiting the program 10 days after the Tigers added Russian center Anna Minaeva to their 2026/27 roster.

The 6-foot-5 Ukrainian, whose father reportedly serves in Ukraine's military amid the ongoing war with Russia, is now entering the NCAA transfer portal.

LSU Coach Kim Mulkey Addresses Kate Koval's Departure

Minaeva, a 17-year-old who played professionally for MBA Moscow, arrives as head coach Kim Mulkey enters her sixth season with LSU. Mulkey says she spoke with Koval before pursuing the Russian recruit, though the Tigers cited only "personal reasons" for the departure.

"We had a long talk about it, and it was a hard decision for her," Mulkey said. "I know it is hard because she loves LSU."

The move costs LSU a player who put up 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game across 17 starts last season, shooting 56% from the field. A Notre Dame transfer, Koval also tallied seven double-doubles and 43 blocks to rank 10th in the nation, while helping the Tigers reach the Sweet 16 for a fourth straight year.

For now, Koval's next destination remains unclear, and she is ineligible to play for a new team this season.

Reigning NCAA basketball champions UConn powered up this week, signing former Wisconsin standout Serah Williams out of the transfer portal — and beating both LSU and North Carolina to the punch.

After several top programs — including the Tigers and the Tar Heels — tried to court the All-Big Ten first team forward, the 6-foot-4 rising senior officially opted to play out her final year of eligibility with the Huskies on Wednesday.

Averaging 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last season, Williams joins a talented UConn frontcourt that includes starters Jana El Alfy and 2025 NCAA Freshman of the Year Sarah Strong.

2025/26 NCAA basketball rosters snap up top talent

With most big-name transfers now committed, next season's college basketball landscape is coming into view.

Despite missing out on Williams, LSU is likely this year's transfer portal winner, having signed Notre Dame freshman forward Kate Koval and highly touted South Carolina sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley to the Tigers' 2025/26 roster.

Ohio State also made headlines on Wednesday, inking Florida forward Kylee Kitts — the younger sister of South Carolina standout junior Chloe Kitts — following the Buckeyes' loss of star junior Cotie McMahon to Ole Miss.

While the transfer portal window closed last week, there's no deadline for signing with a new school, leaving the athletes still in limbo time to find their ideal fit.