Baylor has added 6-foot-5 center Kate Koval, who received an NCAA transfer waiver after leaving LSU. The school announced her commitment Saturday, after Koval entered the transfer process beyond the April deadline.
Koval said she left LSU after the program signed 17-year-old Russian post player Anna Minaeva. Koval was born and raised in Ukraine, and her father serves as a drone operator in the Ukrainian military. She also said people close to her died or were wounded in Russian attacks.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey, a former Baylor coach, had told Koval before recruiting Minaeva began that the players might represent their respective countries, according to the report. Koval said she was uncomfortable with that plan.
Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval can help near the basket on offense and defense, including as a scorer, passer and shot blocker. Koval played her freshman season at Notre Dame and made the ACC All-Freshman Team before joining LSU for 2025-26.
In 35 games with the Tigers, including 17 starts, she averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks, while making 56% of her shots. She had been projected to start at center.
