Kate Koval granted NCAA waiver to transfer from LSU

Ukrainian basketball player Kate Koval has entered the transfer portal after leaving LSU. The NCAA has granted her a “legislative relief waiver,” allowing her to be immediately eligible to compete for a new team this season.

Koval, a 6-foot-5 center, decided to leave the program following LSU's announcement that it had signed Russian center Anna Minaeva. Koval cited the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine as the primary reason for her departure, noting that the conflict is deeply personal as her father serves as a drone operator for the Ukrainian military.

In a social media post, Koval stated that the decision was driven by her need to remain true to her values and her country. Because the transfer portal had already closed when she decided to leave, the NCAA waiver prevents her from having to sit out the 2026-27 season. Koval has at least two seasons of eligibility remaining and is eligible for the 2028 WNBA Draft.