Kate Koval is moving to Baylor after the NCAA approved a transfer waiver for the 6-foot-5 center. Baylor announced her commitment Saturday, following her departure from LSU after the April deadline to enter the transfer portal.
Koval spent her freshman season at Notre Dame and was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team. During the 2025-26 season at LSU, she appeared in 35 games and started 17. She scored 8.3 points per game, collected 6.3 rebounds, recorded 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks, and made 56% of her field-goal attempts. She was projected to open this season as LSU's starting center.
Koval said she left LSU after the program signed 17-year-old Russian post player Anna Minaeva. Koval was born and raised in Ukraine, and said her father operates a drone for Ukraine's military. She also said Russian attacks have killed or wounded people close to her.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey, a former Baylor coach, had told Koval the players could represent their respective countries, according to the report. Baylor coach Nicki Collen said Koval can help near the basket on offense and defense as a scorer, passer and shot blocker. Baylor finished 25-9 last season and returns one starter, senior guard Taliah Scott, who averaged 19.7 points.
Koval also played for Ukraine at the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Women's World Cup, where the team advanced to the quarterfinals. CBS Sports reported the move.
