Baylor has added Ukrainian center Kate Koval several weeks after she left LSU, where coach Kim Mulkey brought a Russian player onto the roster. The school announced Koval’s arrival Saturday.
Koval received permission to enter the NCAA transfer portal outside the usual period after an NCAA legislative relief waiver was approved earlier this week, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously because the person was not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval’s size and skills will add to the team’s offense and defense. “We are beyond excited to welcome Kate to Baylor,” Collen said in a statement. She described the 6-foot-5 center as a strong scorer near the basket, rim protector, perimeter decision-maker and shot blocker.
Koval explained her decision to leave LSU in a social media post last week. She said Russia’s war against Ukraine has directly affected her, including through people close to her being killed or injured and places connected to her upbringing and early basketball career being destroyed by missile strikes.
She also wrote that the timing of the roster decision and its effect on her family led her to reconsider whether LSU was the right fit. Koval said she respected that roster choices are part of college basketball but wanted to remain aligned with her values and Ukraine.
