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Sports · College sports · published 2026-09-02 · via Bleacher Report

Ukrainian Basketball Player Departs LSU Over Signing of Russian Teammate

Image via Bleacher Report
Image via Bleacher Report

Kate Koval, a Ukrainian center, left LSU because the team added Russian player Anna Minaeva, citing the ongoing war and her father's military service. She hopes the NCAA will allow her to compete elsewhere this season, noting she learned of the signing only after the transfer portal closed. Koval averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for LSU last season.

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Koval's college career includes a season at Notre Dame in 2024-25, where she averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 32 games before transferring to LSU. Last season with the Tigers, she appeared in 35 games, contributing 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per outing while playing roughly 17 minutes per contest.

Minaeva, a 6-foot-5 post player, previously competed professionally for MBA Moscow before joining LSU's roster. Koval stated she was not informed of the signing until after the NCAA

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
Read the full article at Bleacher Report →
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This summary is AI-generated and original to Mobble; the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Ukrainian Center Koval Says She Left LSU Because Team Brought in Russian Player.” Browse more stories.