Baylor has added 6-foot-5 Ukrainian center Kate Koval, the school announced Saturday, after the NCAA approved a legislative relief waiver that permitted her to enter the transfer portal outside its regular window. A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press about the waiver anonymously because the person was not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Koval left LSU several weeks after coach Kim Mulkey added a Russian player. In a social media statement, Koval said the war involving Russia and Ukraine had affected people close to her, with some killed or injured. She also said missile strikes damaged places where she grew up and first played basketball.
Koval wrote that those events caused her to question whether LSU was the right fit, while recognizing that roster choices are part of college basketball. She said her decision reflected her principles and her backing of Ukraine.
Koval will play for Baylor coach Nicki Collen. Collen said the center’s scoring near the basket, rebounding and defense at the rim will help the team, and that Koval’s perimeter play could add options offensively. At LSU last season, Koval produced 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
She previously played at Notre Dame, averaging 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in the 2024-25 season. Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, and the two countries are still at war.
