Kate Koval leaves LSU basketball program following team signing of Russian player

Winning isn’t everything.

Ukrainian Kate Koval says she left Louisiana State University's basketball program because of the team's decision to sign a Russian player.

Ukrainian Kate Koval says she left Louisiana State University's basketball program because of the team's decision to sign a Russian player.

Kate Koval said the situation was "deeply personal."

Kate Koval says she decided to leave LSU because it brought in a Russian player, and the Ukrainian center is hoping the NCAA will permit her to play elsewhere this season.

Kate Koval left the women’s basketball program “to remain true to myself, my values and my country.”

Amid speculation that LSU Tigers center Kate Koval was leaving the program for bringing in a Russian player, the Ukrainian star has confirmed it herself in a recent statement. After just one year at LSU, it was announced that Ukrainian women’s basketball player Kate Koval would be leaving the program for ‘personal reasons’.

Koval, a native of Ukraine, found out about LSU's decision to sign a Russian player after the transfer portal deadline passed

Former LSU women's basketball forward Kate Koval, who's from Ukraine, said she left the team after the Lady Tigers added a Russian center.

Kate Koval says she decided to leave LSU because it brought in a Russian player, and the Ukrainian center is hoping the NCAA will permit her to play elsewhere this season. Koval issued a statement on Instagram on Wednesday, just over a week after LSU coach Kim Mulkey announced the post player’s departure. “My father serves in the Ukrainian military and takes tremendous pride in defending his country against Russian aggression,” Koval said.

Kate Koval, a forward for the women’s team of LSU (Louisiana State University) from Ukraine, is quitting the basketball club after LSU signed Russian national Anna Minaeva for the team.… The post Ukrainian Forward Kate Koval Leaves LSU After Program Signs Russian Player: “I Have To Remain True To Myself, My Values, and My Country” appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & Morero.

Kate Koval says she wants to play somewhere else this year.

Koval's father serves in the Ukrainian military and has been involved in the war since Russia's 2022 invasion.

Kate Koval, who is from Ukraine, says LSU adding a Russian recruit had a 'deeply personal effect' on her, leading her leave Kim Mulkey's program.

LSU center Kate Koval, who is from Ukraine, said on Wednesday her decision to leave the program is based on the Tigers recruiting a Russian player at her position. Last week, coach Kim Mulkey said the 6-foot-5 center was leaving for “personal decisions” but alluded to the signing of Anna Minaeva, who has played for a pro club in Moscow. Koval’s father serves in the Ukrainian military, which has been at war since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Mulkey’s decision to sign Minaeva and timing in informing Ko