The NCAA has granted a waiver to former LSU women’s basketball player Kate Koval, a Ukrainian who quit the program after head coach Kim Mulkey signed a Russian player.
Koval put out a statement last week asking the NCAA to consider her circumstances and allow her to play basketball elsewhere for the 2026–27 season. The senior played one season at Notre Dame before coming to Baton Rouge, where she was expected to be the Tigers’ starting center this year.
“I hope the NCAA recognizes the circumstances surrounding my situation and understands the seriousness and deep nature of this matter,” Koval posted on Instagram.
The NCAA has granted her the waiver, Front Office Sports confirmed Thursday. Koval is now in the transfer portal thanks to a “legislative relief waiver,” according to USA Today Sports.
On Aug. 14, LSU announced the signing of 17-year-old Anna Minaeva, who has already played professionally in Russia. On Aug. 24, Mulkey posted on social media that Koval had come to her the day prior to quit the program. A spokesperson for LSU told FOS that Koval told the school she wanted to withdraw as a student.
