Ukrainian player leaves LSU basketball after team signs Russian athlete

Kate Koval had planned to return to Louisiana State University for another season. She changed her mind after learning that LSU had signed Russian player Anna Minaeva, saying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made the roster decision personal rather than ordinary.

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For me, this war is not distant or abstract. People close to me have been killed and wounded in Russian attacks, and places where I grew up and first began playing basketball have been destroyed by missile strikes.

Koval, 20, announced her departure in a statement on Instagram after LSU initially described it as a personal decision. She said she learned about Minaeva’s signing in April, several days after the transfer portal had closed. Koval averaged 8.3 points per game last season and had been expected to play an important role for LSU.

Her father serves in the Ukrainian military, she said, and people close to her have been killed or wounded in Russian attacks. Places where she grew up and first played basketball have also been destroyed by missile strikes. “For me, this war is not distant or abstract,” Koval wrote.

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This decision has not been easy. While I understand and respect that roster decisions are a part of college basketball, I have to remain true to myself, my values and my country.

Koval said she understood that roster decisions formed part of college basketball, but the timing and the war’s effect on her family made her question whether LSU remained the right place for her. “This decision has not been easy,” she said. “While I understand and respect that roster decisions are a part of college basketball, I have to remain true to myself, my values and my country.”

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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.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Koval had told her she was leaving for personal reasons. “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,” Mulkey said. Koval has two years of college eligibility remaining and is asking the NCAA to let her transfer and compete elsewhere in the 2026-27 season. She also expressed gratitude for her time in Baton Rouge, saying she had found a home at LSU and that teammates had become family.

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I hope the NCAA recognises the circumstances surrounding my situation and understands the seriousness and deep nature of this matter.