Former LSU center Kate Koval has committed to Baylor after the NCAA approved a transfer waiver, the Baylor program announced Sept. 12. Koval had announced her departure from LSU after the transfer-portal deadline in April, but the waiver cleared the way for her to join the Bears.
Koval, who is from Ukraine, left LSU after the school added 17-year-old Russian player Anna Minaeva. Koval said Sept. 2 that the decision was connected to the war between Russia and Ukraine. She has said her father serves as a drone operator in the Ukrainian military and that people close to her have been killed or injured in Russian attacks.
In a statement announcing the move, Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval can score and defend near the basket while also contributing as a passer and perimeter decision-maker. Collen also pointed to Koval’s shot blocking and described her as a strong student.
Baylor is coming off a 25-9 season and lost four starters to graduation. Senior guard Taliah Scott is the team’s lone returning starter after leading the Bears with 19.7 points per game last season.
Koval played her freshman season at Notre Dame, where she earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team, before transferring to LSU for the 2025-26 season. She played in 35 games for the Tigers, starting 17, and averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 56% from the field.
