Kim Mulkey was counting on Kate Koval to be a big part of LSU’s plans this season. The Tigers were looking to make a deep run after last season’s painful Sweet 16 exit. But LSU’s decision to sign Russian center Anna Minaeva prompted the Ukrainian star to leave the program, even though she knew the move could potentially force her to sit out the entire season.

It was a huge gamble for Koval, but one she’ll be happy she took. The NCAA has now granted her a waiver, making her eligible to play this season.

“I can confirm that former LSU center Kate Koval is in the transfer portal and eligible to play for a new team this season under a ‘legislative relief waiver’ — an exception approved by the NCAA this week,” wrote USA Today’s Mitchell Northam on X.

The NCAA doesn’t publicly discuss individual waiver decisions. However, its Transfer Waiver Guidelines leave the door open for cases involving exceptional circumstances.

The guidelines state that a waiver may be considered when “exigent circumstances” clearly require a student-athlete to leave their previous school immediately, provided the situation is unrelated to their athletic participation. That provision appears to have worked in the Ukrainian’s favor.

Koval had originally planned to stay with LSU. The 6’5” center was expected to take on an even bigger role this season after ranking 20th nationally in offensive rebounding rate at 17.4% and 14th in defensive rating at 72.2%, according to USA Today. But then she made the decision to leave on August 27.

Her departure was initially attributed to “personal reasons,” but that changed on September 2, when Koval finally opened up about what led to her decision.

“My father serves in the Ukrainian military and takes tremendous pride in defending his country against Russian aggression. For me, this war is not distant or abstract,” Koval said in an Instagram post. “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.

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.”

The Russia-Ukraine war has been ongoing since February 2022, and Koval’s father, Oleksandr, serves as a drone operator in the Ukrainian military. So when LSU signed a Russian player, it did not sit well with her. But leaving LSU came with another problem.

The transfer portal had already closed when she learned of Minaeva’s signing, leaving her no choice but to appeal to the NCAA for a waiver.

“I hope the NCAA recognizes the circumstances surrounding my situation and understands the seriousness and deep nature of this matter,” Koval added. “More than anything, I hope I am given the opportunity to compete at another school during the upcoming 2026-27 basketball season.”

This waiver marks a positive step forward for Kate and her basketball career, but it could leave LSU fans wondering what might have been. After all, Kim Mulkey had a very different vision for Koval and Minaeva.

Mulkey Saw Koval and Minaeva as Ambassadors Beyond Basketball

Questions were naturally raised when LSU announced the signing of Anna Minaeva. But Mulkey made it clear in an interview with The New Orleans Advocate that she had consulted Koval before bringing Minaeva in.

“I want you to understand I’m not here to ask you to change how you feel about Russia,” Mulkey recalled telling 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.

Know that what I have to do in this business, I cannot make a decision to not recruit somebody that can help our program because of a conflict between two countries.”

Koval and Minaeva were set to make history as the first pair of college teammates from Ukraine and Russia since the conflict began, with Mulkey hoping they could serve as “ambassadors” for their respective countries.

But Kate ultimately chose to stand by her principles, even with the history between the two.

For those unaware, their history goes all the way back to Koval’s recruitment, when the Ukrainian center was one of the most sought-after prospects in the country.

After leaving Ukraine in 2021 to play high school ball on Long Island, New York, Koval quickly blossomed into a five-star recruit and the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to ESPN. Mulkey was among the coaches who pushed hard to land her, but Koval ultimately chose Notre Dame.

Mulkey would eventually get another shot at Koval. Following Notre Dame’s Sweet 16 exit, the Ukrainian center entered the transfer portal, and Mulkey pounced. This time, Koval chose Baton Rouge.

The Ukrainian would end up starting 17 of the 35 games she played while averaging 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. She also shot 56% from the floor and finished second on the team in both rebounds and blocks.

According to CBS Sports, Division I women’s basketball teams can carry a maximum of 15 players. With less than 60 days until tipoff, most rosters are already set. That could narrow Koval’s options, but a player of her caliber is bound to attract plenty of interest.

Now, it’s just a matter of seeing where Kate Koval lands next.