Baylor has signed Ukrainian center Kate Koval, the school announced Saturday, several weeks after she departed LSU. Koval left the Tigers after coach Kim Mulkey added a Russian player to the roster, according to the circumstances she described publicly.
Koval received an NCAA legislative relief waiver earlier this week, allowing her to enter the transfer portal outside the usual period, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and was not identified.
In a social media statement last week, Koval said Russia’s war against Ukraine had directly affected her family and community. She wrote that people close to her had been killed or wounded and that locations where she grew up and began playing basketball had been damaged by missile strikes.
Koval said those circumstances led her to question whether LSU was the right fit and that she needed to remain aligned with her values and country.
Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval’s inside scoring and defense will add to the team’s play. Collen also said the 6-foot-5 center can contribute as a perimeter scorer and passer, while her shot blocking will strengthen the Bears’ defense.
