Former LSU women's basketball forward Kate Koval said in an Instagram post on Wednesday, Sept. 2, that her decision to leave the program was due to coach Kim Mulkey adding Russian center Anna Minaeva to the Lady Tigers' roster. Kate Koval is from Ukraine and her father, Oleksandr Koval, is a drone operator in the Ukrainian military, which remains at war with Russia. Koval left the team on Aug. 24, citing personal reasons. REQUIRED READING: Kate Koval leaves LSU women's basketball team due to personal reasons “My father serves in the Ukrainian military and takes tremendous pride in defending his country against Russian aggression. For me, this war is not distant or abstract,” Koval wrote in the post. “People close to me have been killed and wounded in Russian attacks, and places where I grew up and first began playing basketball have been destroyed by missile strikes. “The timing of this situation and the deeply personal effect it has had on me, my family, and those we care about who continue to live through and fight this war ultimately made me question whether LSU remained the right place for me. This decision has not been easy. 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 said in the statement she intended to return to LSU for the 2026-27 season before the roster changes were made. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 8.3 points with 6.3 rebounds per game last season. "At the conclusion of last season, I fully intended to return and continue my collegiate career at LSU," she wrote. "However, in April, several days after the transfer portal had closed, I was informed of the decision to sign a Russian player."
Koval ended her statement by expressing her desire to remain in college basketball for the 2026-27 season, asking the NCAA to understand her rare situation. “I hope the NCAA recognizes the circumstances surrounding my situation and understands the seriousness and deep nature of this matter," she wrote. "More than anything, I hope I am given the opportunity to compete at another school during the upcoming 2026-27 basketball season.” Koval started her career at Notre Dame, where she made 10 starts in 32 appearances, averaging 5.3 points with 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Barring a waiver that would allow Koval to enter the transfer portal, she may have to wait until the next transfer portal window opens in April for her to join a new team. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Kate Koval left LSU after Kim Mulkey added Russian player to roster