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The NCAA has approved a special waiver that will allow Ukrainian center Kate Koval to compete for another program in the 2026–27 season after she left LSU in protest of the team’s signing of a Russian player. The decision clears the way for Koval to enter the transfer portal despite the window being closed.
Waiver clears immediate path to transfer
The waiver, described by USA Today Sports as a legislative relief waiver, was confirmed by Front Office Sports. It makes Koval eligible to appear in the transfer portal and seek playing time elsewhere for the upcoming season.
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Under normal rules the portal is closed well before the season, so Koval required this exception to pursue opportunities elsewhere in 2026–27.
Why Koval left LSU
Koval, a senior who spent one season at Notre Dame before transferring to Baton Rouge and was expected to be LSU’s starting center, publicly said she quit because of the recruitment of 17-year-old Anna Minaeva. LSU announced Minaeva’s signing on Aug. 14. Minaeva has previously played professionally in Russia.
In an Instagram post requesting NCAA consideration, Koval wrote, “I hope the NCAA recognizes the circumstances surrounding my situation and understands the seriousness and deep nature of this matter.” She also described the personal toll of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine: “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.”
The player’s father was identified by Koval as a drone operator in the war that began in February 2022—an element she cited when explaining why the presence of a Russian player on her team felt untenable.
LSU and coach Kim Mulkey respond
Coach Kim Mulkey said Koval came to her the day before she announced her departure. Mulkey told The Advocate that she discussed the Minaeva signing with Koval and indicated she could not refuse to recruit a player solely because of geopolitical tensions: she said she “cannot make a decision to not recruit somebody that can help our program because of a conflict between two countries.”
LSU representatives told Front Office Sports that Koval notified the school she intended to withdraw as a student.
Next steps for Koval
With the waiver in hand, Koval has entered the transfer portal and may seek a roster spot for 2026–27. How coaches and programs respond to her availability remains to be seen, and any prospective transfer will still need to comply with institutional and NCAA-imposed requirements beyond this waiver.
