Baylor has added 6-foot-5 Ukrainian center Kate Koval, the school announced, after the NCAA approved a legislative relief waiver that permitted her to enter the transfer portal outside its regular window. The move came several weeks after Koval left LSU following coach Kim Mulkey’s addition of a Russian player.
The Associated Press said the waiver information came from someone familiar with the matter who spoke anonymously because that person was not authorized to comment publicly.
Koval described her decision in a social media post last week. She wrote that Russia’s war against Ukraine had affected people close to her, including people who were killed or injured. Missile strikes also damaged locations where she grew up and first played basketball.
Those circumstances caused her to question whether LSU was the right fit, while she recognized that roster choices are part of college basketball. Koval said she had to follow her principles and stand with her country.
Koval will play for Baylor coach Nicki Collen, who said the center’s scoring inside, rebounding and shot blocking will help the team. Collen also said Koval’s perimeter play could expand Baylor’s offense. Koval posted 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game at LSU last season.
