Baylor announced Saturday that it signed Ukrainian center Kate Koval, adding a 6-foot-5 player to coach Nicki Collen’s team several weeks after Koval departed LSU. Her transfer became possible when the NCAA granted a legislative relief waiver earlier this week, permitting her to enter the portal outside its normal window.
The information came from a person familiar with the matter who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press because that person was not authorized to comment publicly.
Koval addressed her LSU departure in a social media post last week. She wrote that Russia’s war against Ukraine had affected people close to her, with some killed or wounded, and that missile strikes had damaged locations where she grew up and first played basketball. Those events prompted her to question whether LSU was the right fit.
She also recognized that coaches make roster decisions, but said her response needed to reflect her principles and her backing of Ukraine.
Collen said Koval’s scoring near the basket, work on the boards and shot blocking will help Baylor. She also said Koval’s perimeter playmaking may expand the offense. Koval posted 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game at LSU last season.
