Baylor announced Kate Koval’s commitment Saturday after the NCAA approved a transfer waiver for the 6-foot-5 Ukrainian center. Koval left LSU after the April deadline to enter the NCAA transfer portal. CBS Sports reported the move.
Koval said she chose to leave LSU after the program signed 17-year-old Russian post player Anna Minaeva. Koval said her father is a drone operator in Ukraine’s military and that Russian attacks have killed or wounded people close to her.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey, who previously led Baylor, had told Koval before the recruiting effort that the two players could represent their respective countries, according to the report. Koval later said she was not comfortable with that situation.
Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval’s size and work around the basket can help the team on offense and defense, including as a scorer, passer and shot blocker. Koval played her freshman season at Notre Dame, making the ACC All-Freshman Team, then joined LSU for 2025-26.
She appeared in 35 games and started 17, producing 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game while making 56% of her shots. She had been projected to start at center for LSU. Baylor finished 25-9 last season and returns one starter, senior guard Taliah Scott, who averaged 19.7 points.
