Baylor will add 6-foot-5 center Kate Koval after the NCAA approved a transfer waiver for the Ukrainian player. The school announced her commitment Saturday, after Koval left LSU despite the April transfer-portal entry deadline. CBS Sports reported the move.
Koval said she departed because LSU signed 17-year-old Russian post player Anna Minaeva. Koval was born and raised in Ukraine, and said her father is a drone operator with the Ukrainian military and that Russian attacks have killed or injured people close to her.
She initially planned to stay at LSU, but said she was uncomfortable after coach Kim Mulkey told her the two players could represent their countries. Mulkey previously coached at Baylor.
Koval spent her freshman year at Notre Dame and made the ACC All-Freshman Team before playing for LSU in 2025-26. In 35 games, including 17 starts, she posted 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, with a 56% field-goal rate. Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval can help as a scorer, passer and shot blocker.
Baylor finished 25-9 and returns one starter, senior guard Taliah Scott, who averaged 19.7 points. Koval also played for Ukraine at the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Women’s World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals.
