Ukrainian center and former LSU women’s basketball star Kate Koval has broken her silence regarding her departure from the team.
Koval announced she was stepping away from the program back in August, with LSU head coach Kim Mulkey citing “personal reasons” as the cause for her center leaving.
On Wednesday, Koval released a statement on her official Instagram page, confirming suspicions that her choice to walk away from the Tigers stemmed from Mulkey acquiring 17-year-old Russian center Anna Minaeva.
“After much reflection, I have made the difficult decision to step away from the LSU Women’s Basketball program and withdraw from LSU,” Koval’s statement reads.
“At the conclusion of last season, I fully intended to return and continue my collegiate career at LSU. However, in April, several days after the transfer portal had closed, I was informed of the decision to sign a Russian player.”
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Kate Koval No. 13 of the LSU Tigers warms up before a game against the Texas Tech Lady Raiders in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 22, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (Getty Images)
Koval goes on to say that her father’s service in the Ukrainian Army, along with the deaths and serious injuries of many of her friends and family members because of “Russian aggression,” factored into her exit.
Mulkey claimed she was only doing what was best for the basketball program when she decided to bring Minaeva into the fold and added that she “cannot make a decision to not recruit somebody that can help our program because of a conflict between two countries.”
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Tigers Head Coach Kim Mulkey, LSU Tigers take on Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Baton Rouge, L.A., Monday, March 24, 2025. (SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The LSU head coach reportedly believed she would be able to use Koval and Minaeva as “ambassadors” to help mend geopolitical fences and promote unity through her locker room.
“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,” Koval added.
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Despite the sour taste left in her mouth by Mulkey’s decision, Koval has made it clear that she still wants to play college basketball for a team during the 2026-27 season.
LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, right, brings head football coach Lane Kiffin out onto the court in the first half of an NCAA basketball game against Kentucky. The game took place in Baton Rouge, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
“I hope the NCAA recognizes the circumstances surrounding my situation and understands the seriousness and deep nature of this matter. More than anything, I hope I am given the opportunity to compete at another school during the upcoming 2026–27 basketball season.”
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OutKick originally reached out to Koval and her representation for comment and were ultimately directed to her public statement that was released earlier Thursday.
