Entertainment
Ukrainian player Kate Koval leaves LSU basketball team after Russian recruit signs
Koval's departure comes less than two weeks after head coach Kim Mulkey spoke with her regarding the addition of Russian player Anna Minaeva.
The short version
- Ukrainian center Kate Koval is leaving the LSU women's basketball team for personal reasons, according to coach Kim Mulkey.
- Her departure follows the signing of 17-year-old Russian recruit Anna Minaeva by the LSU program less than two weeks prior.
- Coach Mulkey stated that she previously discussed the recruitment with Koval out of respect for her family and her feelings about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Key facts
- Kate Koval, a Ukrainian center born in Kyiv whose father serves in the Ukrainian military, is leaving the LSU women's basketball team after one season with the Tigers.[The Guardian]
- LSU coach Kim Mulkey announced on Monday that Koval's departure is due to personal reasons and that the program respects her privacy.[The Guardian]
- Earlier in August, LSU signed 17-year-old Russian recruit Anna Minaeva, who previously played professionally for MBA Moscow.[The Guardian]
- Mulkey stated that she spoke with Koval before signing Minaeva to inform her, noting she could not make recruiting decisions based on conflicts between nations, though she hoped they could be ambassadors for peace.[The Guardian]
- During her single season at LSU, Koval averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game after transferring from Notre Dame.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It is not explicitly confirmed whether the signing of Minaeva was the direct reason for Koval's decision to leave, though Mulkey characterized the departure as being for personal reasons after a difficult decision.[The Guardian]