Baylor announced Saturday that Kate Koval will join the program after receiving an NCAA transfer waiver. The 6-foot-5 center left LSU after the April deadline for entering the transfer portal and had been projected to start for the Tigers this season.
Koval said she chose to leave LSU after the school brought in Anna Minaeva, a 17-year-old Russian post player. Koval was born and raised in Ukraine. She said her father is a drone operator with Ukraine’s military and that people close to her have been killed or hurt in Russian attacks.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey, formerly Baylor’s coach, had told Koval the two players could represent their respective countries, according to the report, but Koval said she was uncomfortable with that plan.
Koval spent her freshman year at Notre Dame and made the ACC All-Freshman Team. In 35 games for LSU during the 2025-26 season, including 17 starts, she posted 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, with a 56% field-goal percentage. Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval can help as a scorer, passer and shot blocker.
Baylor finished 25-9 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, which ended with a quarterfinal appearance. CBS Sports reported the move.
