Kate Koval leaving LSU women’s basketball program for personal reasons

Kate Koval, a highly regarded college basketball player, has decided to leave Louisiana State University (LSU) for personal reasons, just weeks before the start of the upcoming season. She was anticipated to be the starting center for the Tigers. Head coach Kim Mulkey announced the news in a statement on Monday, Aug. 24. Koval expressed her decision after much contemplation, stating that it was a challenging decision for her, given her love for LSU.

The coach emphasized that Koval is a remarkable individual and that her decision respects her personal circumstances. Koval, currently represented by Sports International Group, will be unable to transfer to another team until April, as the transfer portal is not open at this time. The timing of her departure coincides with LSU's recent signing of Anna Minaeva, a 6-foot-5 centrer from Russia, who joined the team just ten days prior to Koval's departure.

Koval is Ukrainian, and her father is a Ukrainian military drone operator. She was recruited by Mulkey and played for the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame before transferring to LSU. Koval was a five-star recruit in 2023, and a 6-foot-5 post, she made the ACC's All-Freshman team in the 2024-25 season. She also represented Ukraine internationally in the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Women’s World Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals.