Kate Koval signs with Baylor after NCAA waiver permits transfer from LSU

Baylor has signed Ukrainian center Kate Koval after an NCAA waiver enabled her to transfer from Louisiana State University outside the regular window. The Texas school announced the signing on Saturday, according to the Associated Press. The move gives Koval a new team following her departure from LSU over its recruitment of a Russian player.

BBC Sport reported that LSU requested the waiver for the 20-year-old, with the transfer window having closed in April. AP, citing a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly, reported that a legislative relief waiver had been approved earlier in the week. The decision allowed Koval to enter the transfer portal after the normal deadline.

Koval left LSU after the arrival of 17-year-old Anna Minaeva. Her departure was initially described as being for personal reasons, but she subsequently linked it to the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In an Instagram statement reported by BBC Sport, Koval said her father serves in Ukraine's military, people close to her had been killed or wounded, and missile attacks had destroyed places connected to her childhood and early basketball experience.

Baylor coach Nicki Collen outlined several potential roles for the 6-foot-5 center in a statement carried by AP. Collen highlighted Koval's scoring near the basket and rim protection, while also pointing to her ability to make decisions away from the basket as both a scorer and facilitator. The coach said those perimeter skills could broaden Baylor's offense and her shot-blocking could strengthen its defense.

Koval averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for LSU last season, AP reported. Before joining the Tigers, she began her college career at Notre Dame, where she averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds during the 2024-25 season. Baylor will be her third college program.

The approval has resolved her route to another team, although the precise grounds for LSU's application remained unconfirmed in BBC Sport's report. The broadcaster said it had contacted LSU to establish under which terms the waiver was requested.