Baylor’s women’s basketball roster now includes 6-foot-5 Ukrainian center Kate Koval, the school announced Saturday. Koval left LSU several weeks ago after Tigers coach Kim Mulkey added a Russian player.
The NCAA granted Koval a legislative-relief waiver earlier this week, enabling her to enter the transfer portal outside its standard window, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press because the person was not authorized to comment publicly.
Koval said in a social media post last week that Russia’s war against Ukraine had affected people close to her, including people who were killed or wounded. She also said missile strikes damaged places where she grew up and first played basketball.
Koval wrote that those circumstances caused her to question whether LSU was the right fit, while recognizing that roster choices are part of college basketball. She said she needed to follow her values and support Ukraine.
At Baylor, she will play for coach Nicki Collen, who said Koval’s scoring inside, rebounding and shot blocking will help the team, while her perimeter play could expand its offense. Koval recorded 8.3 points per game for LSU last season, along with 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. At Notre Dame in 2024-25, she averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds.
