Ukrainian star Kate Koval confirms she left LSU for bringing in a Russian player in recent statement

Amid speculation that LSU Tigers center Kate Koval was leaving the program for bringing in a Russian player, the Ukrainian star has confirmed it herself in a recent statement.

After just one year at LSU, it was announced that Ukrainian women’s basketball player Kate Koval would be leaving the program for ‘personal reasons’.

Based on head coach Kim Mulkey’s comments and the addition of Russian 17-year-old Anna Minaeva, many thought this was the reason Koval was moving on.

And in a recently released statement, the 20-year-old confirmed this was the reason behind her decision and also made an appeal to the NCAA.

Koval spent a year at Notre Dame before moving to LSU in 2025 and enjoying a fair amount of success with the program.

According to her statement, she fully intended to return if not for the unforeseen development. Koval also included an appeal to the NCAA as she evaluates her future options.

“After much reflection, I have made the difficult decision to step away from the LSU Women’s Basketball program and withdraw from LSU,” the statement reads.

“At the conclusion of last season, I fully intended to return and continue my collegiate career at LSU. However, in April, several days after the transfer portal had closed, I was informed of the decision to sign a Russian player.

“My father serves in the Ukrainian military and takes tremendous pride in defending his country against Russian aggression. For me, this war is not distant or abstract.

“People close to me have been killed and wounded in Russian attacks, and places where I grew up and first began playing basketball have been destroyed by missile strikes.

“The timing of this situation and the deeply personal effect it has had on me, my family, and those we care about who continue to live through and fight this war ultimately made me question whether LSU remained the right place for me.

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“This decision has not been easy. While I understand and respect that roster decisions are a part of college basketball, I have to remain true to myself, my values, and my country.

“I felt I had found a home at LSU, and I am incredibly grateful for my teammates who became family, as well as my coaches, staff, professors, and the entire LSU community. I will always cherish the relationships, experiences, and memories I made there.

“I hope the NCAA recognizes the circumstances surrounding my situation and understands the seriousness and deep nature of this matter. More than anything, I hope I am given the opportunity to compete at another school during the upcoming 2026–27 basketball season.”

Having missed the transfer portal, Koval finds herself in an extremely tough spot. Her hope will be that this statement is compelling enough for the NCAA to make an exception for her.

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