{
  "id": 6969731,
  "title": "Kate Koval transfers to Baylor after getting NCAA waiver to leave LSU",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/kate-koval-transfers-to-baylor-after-getting-ncaa-waiver-to-leave-lsu",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-12T18:36:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kate-koval-transfers-baylor-getting-183623920.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kate Koval, a former LSU center, has transferred to Baylor after receiving an NCAA waiver. The 6-foot-5 post, who hails from Kyiv, Ukraine, signed with the Bears on September 12. Baylor's coach, Nicki Collen, expressed excitement about Koval's addition, praising her elite-level play, scoring ability, and shot-blocking skills. Koval's decision to leave LSU was influenced by the team signing a Russian player and her personal connection to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Her father is a Ukrainian military drone operator. Koval, who played in Ukraine from 2021 to 2023, was a standout recruit at Long Island's diving high school, earning the title of the fifth-best prospect in the 2023 class by ESPN. She last season when Baylor advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament but lost to Duke.",
  "summary": "Ukrainian Kate Koval, who left LSU after it signed a Russian player, will sign with Kim Mulkey's former team, Baylor, for the upcoming season.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kate Koval transfers to Baylor after NCAA waiver.",
    "Ukrainian center joins Bears on September 12.",
    "Koval's decision influenced by LSU signing Russian player."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}