Ukrainian LSU women’s basketball player leaves team over signing of Russian recruit
NBC News • • sports
Key Points:
- Ukrainian forward Kate Koval left LSU’s women’s basketball program due to the team signing Russian player Anna Minaeva, citing personal and familial ties to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Koval expressed that the addition of the Russian player made LSU an untenable environment for her, especially given her father's service in the Ukrainian military and the impact of the war on her loved ones.
- She was not informed about Minaeva’s addition until after the NCAA transfer portal closed, potentially forcing her to sit out the 2026-27 season unless granted special NCAA consideration.
- Koval played her freshman year at Notre Dame and last season at LSU, where she appeared in all 35 games and averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
- LSU coach Kim Mulkey previously announced Koval’s departure was for “personal reasons,” and neither LSU nor the NCAA have commented on the situation as of now.
