Baylor announced Saturday that 6-foot-5 center Kate Koval will join the program after receiving an NCAA waiver to transfer outside the regular portal period. A team spokesperson said her immediate eligibility had not been determined, in part because classes started in late August. Koval had sought permission after announcing her departure once the portal’s regular window had closed.
Koval, who is from Kyiv, Ukraine, departed LSU after the school brought in Anna Minaeva, a Russian player who has professional experience in Moscow. Koval has said her father serves in the Ukrainian military.
In a social media appeal, she wrote, “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.” NCAA rules permit an out-of-window move when an urgent circumstance outside an athlete’s control requires leaving and is unrelated to athletic opportunities at the current school.
Koval joins Baylor as coach Nicki Collen begins her sixth season in Waco. The Bears were 25-9 last season, graduated four starters, retained most of their roster through the portal and had signed three transfers without an incoming freshman. Koval is expected to play with scoring leader Taliah Scott, who averaged 20 points per game, and Marcayla Johnson, who had a strong freshman season.
She is Baylor’s second 6-foot-5 player, alongside Lorena Awou, who transferred from NC State in January. Collen said Koval’s outside scoring and passing could expand the offense, while her defense could help inside. The report was published by nytimes.com.
