Ukrainian Player Confirms She Quit LSU Because Kim Mulkey Signed Russian
Kate Koval says she wants to play somewhere else this year.
Ukrainian basketball player Kate Koval has confirmed she quit LSU women's basketball due to the program's decision to sign Russian player Anna Minaeva, according to Front Office Sports. Koval, who is from Kyiv, expressed her decision on Instagram, citing the timing of Minaeva's signing after the transfer portal closed as a factor in her choice to withdraw from LSU.
Koval, a junior, played for LSU in all 35 games last season and was set to be the starting center for the team this year. She highlighted the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, stating that the war is personal for her as her father is a drone operator in the conflict and her hometown has been affected by missile strikes.
Despite assurances from head coach Kim Mulkey that recruiting decisions cannot be based on political conflicts, Koval's decision to leave LSU and seek basketball opportunities elsewhere during the 2026-27 season reflects the impact of these circumstances.
Brief written by urgent.news from Front Office Sports's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
