The NCAA has approved a transfer waiver for former LSU center Kate Koval, allowing the 6-foot-5 Ukrainian player to join Baylor. Baylor announced her commitment Saturday after Koval left LSU following April’s deadline to enter the NCAA transfer portal. CBS Sports reported the move.
Koval said she departed LSU after the program signed 17-year-old Russian post player Anna Minaeva. Koval said her father serves as a drone operator in the Ukrainian military and that people close to her have been killed or injured in Russian attacks.
She initially expected to stay at LSU, but said she was uncomfortable with coach Kim Mulkey’s suggestion that she and Minaeva could represent their countries. Mulkey previously coached at Baylor.
Koval played her freshman season at Notre Dame and made the ACC All-Freshman Team before joining LSU for the 2025-26 season. She appeared in 35 games for the Tigers, starting 17, and averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 56% from the field. She had been expected to start at center this season.
Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval can help as a scorer, passer and shot blocker. Baylor went 25-9 last season and returns one starter, senior guard Taliah Scott, who averaged 19.7 points. Koval also played for Ukraine at the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Women’s World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals.
