Long Island Lutheran's Kate Koval, of Ukraine, leaves LSU after Tigers sign a Russian player
LSU forward Kate Koval looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA women's basketball game against South Carolina in Baton Rouge on Feb. 14. Credit: AP
BATON ROUGE, La. — Ukrainian center Kate Koval, who starred at Long Island Lutheran High School, is leaving LSU less than two weeks after the Tigers brought in a player from Russia.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Monday night that the 6-5 Koval was leaving for “personal reasons,” adding that the program will “respect her privacy on her decision.”
“We had a long talk about it, and it was a hard decision for her,” Mulkey continued. “I know it is hard because she loves LSU. Kate is a great person. She has to do what she feels is right for her, and we fully support her in that. We all wish her the best.”
Koval was born in Kyiv, but moved to to Long Island in September 2021 and was a two-time Newsday Player of the Year at Long Island Lutheran. She began her college career at Notre Dame, then transferred before last season to LSU, where she averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
LSU recently signed Anna Minaeva, a 6-5 post player who previously played professionally with MBA Moscow.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and the two countries have been at war since. Koval's parents, Oleksandr and Natalia, were in Kyiv when Russia first attacked; Natalia since left Ukraine and went to Canada, but her father remained to help protect the city.
