Baylor has signed Ukrainian center Kate Koval after the NCAA approved a legislative relief waiver that allowed her to enter the transfer portal outside the normal window. The school announced the addition, and Koval will play for coach Nicki Collen.
Koval left LSU several weeks after Tigers coach Kim Mulkey added a Russian player. In a social media post, Koval said 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 decisions are part of college basketball.
At 6 feet, 5 inches, Koval averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for LSU last season. She previously played at Notre Dame, averaging 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in the 2024-25 season. Collen said Koval’s scoring inside, rebounding and shot blocking will help Baylor, while her perimeter play could expand the offense.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the countries have remained at war since then.
