Ukrainian-born basketball player Kate Koval is leaving Louisiana State University (LSU) less than two weeks after the team announced the signing of a Russian player who previously played professionally in Moscow. LSU head coach Kim Mulkey announced Koval’s departure on Monday, Aug. 24, saying the 6-foot-5 center was leaving the program for “personal reasons.”JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “We had a long talk about it, and it was a hard decision for her,” Mulkey told the Associated Press. “I know it is hard because she loves LSU. Kate is a great person. She has to do what she feels is right for her, and we fully support her in that. We all wish her the best.” Koval was born in Kyiv and began her college career at Notre Dame before transferring to LSU ahead of the 2025-26 season. She averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Tigers. Her departure comes shortly after LSU announced the signing of 17-year-old Russian center Anna Minaeva, a 6-foot-5 post player who previously played for MBA Moscow, a professional women’s basketball club in Russia. LSU announced Minaeva’s signing on Friday, with Mulkey saying the teenager had the size, experience and skills to make an immediate impact. “I’m thrilled to welcome Anna to our LSU family,” Mulkey said. “She has the experience, skill set, and size to make an immediate impact in our frontcourt.”