LSU is set to lose one of its most recognizable frontcourt pieces, with Ukrainian forward Kate Koval leaving the program after the Tigers signed Russian player Anna Minaeva.
Koval, a former McDonald’s All American, is moving on after a situation that clearly put her in a difficult spot. Her father serves in Ukraine’s army during the war with Russia, and the arrival of Minaeva appears to have pushed the matter to a breaking point.
Mulkey addressed the decision in an LSU statement and framed it as a personal one for Koval. “We had a long talk about it, and it was a hard decision for her,” Mulkey said.
“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 is heading into her third women’s college basketball season in 2026-27 after stints at Notre Dame and LSU, but she’ll now look for another program before that next campaign begins.
The 6-foot-5 forward played in all 35 games for LSU in 2025-26 and made 17 starts, averaging 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. Minaeva, meanwhile, is a 17-year-old 6-5 post player who competed for MBA Moscow, a professional women’s team in Russia.
Mulkey had previously discussed the issue with The New Orleans Advocate after Minaeva joined the program in August. She said she hoped for a civil resolution and told Koval, “I want you to understand I’m not here to ask you to change how you feel about Russia,” Mulkey recalled saying to Koval.
“I’m just here out of respect for your family and out of respect for you to let you know. Because I know how personal it is for you.”
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