Ukrainian player leaves LSU basketball over Russian recruit signing

Ukrainian forward Kate Koval left LSU’s women’s basketball team over the signing of Russian recruit Anna Minaeva, citing her values and her father’s service in Ukraine’s military. Koval announced the decision Wednesday, saying the war’s personal impact made LSU untenable. Koval, 20, said she wasn’t told about Minaeva’s addition until April, days after the transfer portal closed, and now hopes the NCAA grants her eligibility to play elsewhere in 2026-27. She averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds last season for LSU, which exited the NCAA tournament in the Sweet 16. Coach Kim Mulkey had previously cited “personal reasons” for Koval’s departure. Koval played her freshman year at Notre Dame before transferring to LSU, and she emphasized that people close to her have been killed or wounded in Russian attacks.