In the span of a few months, Kate Koval has gone from being a starting center at LSU to being an ineligible free agent, to now being a player with another major team. Just four days after being given official permission by the NCAA, the estranged Kate Koval has now signed with the Baylor Women's Basketball team. As Baylor WBB subtly shared the news in an official release, Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles wasted no time in reacting to it.
"WE GOT KATE KOVAL????????????????," Baylor's Women's Basketball posted on Instagram
. Olivia Miles reacted to the news, liking the Instagram post.
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Incidentally, Baylor is the former team of current LSU coach Kim Mulkey, who spent 21 years as their head coach.
Kate Koval's abrupt departure from the LSU Tigers became a talking point after Kim Mulkey indicated that it was for 'personal reasons'. After much speculation, though, Koval herself released a statement clearing the air around her departure, hinting that the signing of a Russian player (Anna Minaeva) by LSU was the primary reason for her departure, in the wake of her nation, Ukraine, being involved in a conflict with Russia.
Kate Koval's path to Baylor is just the beginning of what should be an exciting season for the Bears. Subscribe for more interesting stories.
"My father serves in the Ukrainian military and takes tremendous pride in defending his country against Russian aggression. For me, this war is not distant or abstract," Koval wrote in her Instagram post on September 2.
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"The timing of this situation and the deeply personal effect it has had on me, my family, and those we care about who continue to live through and fight this war ultimately made me question whether LSU remained the right place for me."
In the same statement, Koval urged the NCAA to consider her special circumstances and grant her a transfer waiver, so that she is able to sign and play for another team for the 2026-27 season.
"I hope the NCAA recognizes the circumstances surrounding my situation and understands the seriousness and deep nature of this matter," Koval wrote. "More than anything, I hope I am given the opportunity to compete at another school during the upcoming 2026-27 basketball season."
The NCAA did grant Koval a legislative relief waiver
afterwards, and that paved the way for her signing with Baylor.
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"I can confirm that former LSU center Kate Koval is in the transfer portal and eligible to play for a new team this season under a 'legislative relief waiver' — an exception approved by the NCAA this week," wrote USA Today's Mitchell Northam on X last week.
Without this waiver, Koval would have to sit out an entire year to sign and ultimately play for any team.
Kate Koval looks like a fine addition to the Baylor team, something that coach Nicki Collen has indicated as well.
"We are beyond excited to welcome Kate to Baylor," Collen said in a statement.
"She has played at an elite level over the last two seasons and has shown the consistent ability to score around the rim and protect the rim. Kate can be a decision-maker on the perimeter both as a scorer and facilitator, which will expand our offense. Her shot-blocking ability will help anchor our defense."
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"She is an elite student with a big heart for others, and our fans will love her on and off the court."
Koval certainly posts the numbers to back this confidence in her. Nationally, she ranked 20th in offensive rebounding rate at 17.4% and 14th in defensive rating at 72.2%, according to USA Today. Koval started 17 of the 35 games she played last season for LSU, while putting up 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. She also managed to shoot 56% from the floor and finished second on the team in rebounds and blocks.
In the summer, Koval played for Ukraine as they made it to the quarters of the 2026 FIBA 3v3 Women's World Cup.
For Baylor, Koval adds the much-needed frontcourt coverage. While expected to share the minutes alongside Kyla Abraham, her defensive abilities inside the paint can help Baylor go deep in the postseason, having been eliminated by Duke last season in the second round.
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The signing is a strong bet by Collen, who is looking to add some silverware after being brought on as Head Coach after Kim Mulkey departed to take the LSU job. Only time will tell how the Kate Koval signing pans out for Baylor.
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