Former LSU center Kate Koval has been granted a waiver by the NCAA to enter the transfer portal. The junior will be immediately eligible to compete for her next school, according to several reports.
The 6-foot-5 Ukrainian native decided to leave the LSU program two weeks ago for what was announced as "personal reasons." Speculation followed that Koval's decision was spurred by LSU coach Kim Mulkey adding Russian center Anna Minaeva to the roster.
Koval confirmed that was her reason for leaving LSU in a social media post.
"At the conclusion of last season, I fully intended to return and continue my collegiate career at LSU," Koval wrote. "However, in April, several days after the transfer portal had closed, I was informed of the decision to sign a Russian player."
"My father serves in the Ukrainian military and takes tremendous pride in defending his country against Russian aggression," she continued. "For me, this war is not distant or abstract. 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."

#koval #ukrainian #several #kate

In 1893, a chemistry professor named Charles Coates arrived at Louisiana State University and wrote that, to his surprise, "there was practically no athletics in the student body: no football, no tennis, and only very little baseball in the spring." A broad program of sports struck him as the kind of thing a school should have, particularly as US universities were beginning to tout intercollegiate athletics as critical to a balanced higher-ed experience and another way to justify the cost of entry. But 133 years on, sports aren't merely the main attraction at LSU. They're the school's raison d'être, the blinkered obsession that consumes the university and its most prominent ambassadors.
Any doubt that the business of educating college students is just a nettlesome distraction from the business of college sports in Baton Rouge has been emphatically dispelled over the past 10 months. On the football side, the school has spent or committed roughly $162m to its last three head coaches: Ed Orgeron, the folksy national champion in 2019 who received a $17m buyout when he was fired two years later; Brian Kelly, the unloved underachiever who received a $54m buyout after being fired last October; and Lane Kiffin, the Kelly replacement whom it signed to a $91m deal a month later. Clemson, the opponent for LSU's season opener at home on Saturday, are about to find out what all that money buys.
Related: College football is booming, chaotic and more confusing than ever
In March, LSU brought back men's basketball coach Will Wade, the turnaround artist who became a national emblem of college sports' old pay-for-play hypocrisy when he was caught on an FBI wiretap discussing a recruiting offer seven years ago. An NCAA dragnet soon uncovered more alleged recruiting improprieties. After LSU fired Wade for cause, he resurfaced at McNeese State, engineering an unlikely reversal of fortune that eventually landed him a lucrative offer to coach back in the big leagues at North Carolina State. That stint lasted all of one 20-win season before the Tigers swooped in and began the process to bring Wade back – despite the fact that someone else was already coaching the team.
And then there's Kim Mulkey, grande dame of LSU sports blindness. When the national championship-winning women's basketball coach brought 17-year-old Anna Minaeva into the fold last month, more than a few eyebrows arched – and not because she plays the same position as junior center Kate Koval. It's more that Minaeva is Russian, Koval is Ukrainian and the one notable reprieve her father, a drone operator in the Ukrainian military, took from the war was to travel to the United States to watch his daughter play.

#sports #Football #fired #back

Flau'Jae Johnson continues to impress as a rookie in the WNBA. The former LSU women's basketball star plays for the Seattle Storm and set a record for the legendary franchise on Sunday. Johnson passed Sue Bird with the most 20-point games by a rookie in Storm history. She also became the second rookie in franchise history to score 500 points.
Johnson did it by scoring 23 points on Sunday against the Dallas Wings. She shot 47% from the field, knocking down five three-pointers while adding six rebounds, three steals and two **** ists. She followed it up with a 20-point performance Wednesday against the Toronto Tempo and shot 60% from the field.
Johnson averages a team-best 1.4 steals per game. Her 13.9 points and 3.9 **** ists both rank third on the team and second among the 2026 rookie class. She has started all but two games for the Storm, which ranks No. 8 in the Western Conference Standings.
As a freshman at LSU, Johnson joined the national championship team. She played four seasons under head coach Kim Mulkey, ending her career as one of the program's most successful players. Johnson finished No. 5 on the all-time scoring list with 2,063 points, just under 200 points away from Sylvia Fowles. She averaged 14.2 points per game on 47% shooting from the field over her career.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Ex-LSU star Flau'Jae Johnson sets Seattle Storm record

#field #star

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - MARCH 22: Kate Koval #13 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Texas Tech Lady Raiders in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Pete Maravich **** embly Center on March 22, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Ukrainian center Kate Koval is leaving LSU less than two weeks after the Tigers brought in a player from Russia.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Monday night that the 6-foot-5 Koval was leaving for "personal reasons," adding that the program will "respect her privacy on her decision."
"We had a long talk about it, and it was a hard decision for her," Mulkey continued. "I know it is hard because she loves LSU. Kate is a great person. She has to do what she feels is right for her, and we fully support her in that. We all wish her the best."
Koval, who was born in Kyiv, began her college career at Notre Dame. She transferred before last season to LSU, where she averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

#mulkey #game

Kim Mulkey lost a key piece to her frontcourt suddenly on Monday.
LSU women's basketball announced that center Kate Koval opted to leave the program due to personal reasons.
"Kate came to see me on Sunday and told me that after much consideration, she will be leaving the program for personal reasons," Mulkey said in a statement. "We will respect her privacy on her decision, but we had a long talk about it, and it was a hard decision for her. I know it is hard because she loves LSU. Kate is a great person. She has to do what she feels is right for her, and we fully support her in that. We wish her all the best."
Koval transferred in to play for LSU last season after starting her career at Notre Dame. She started 17 games and averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 56% from the field per contest. She helped LSU reach the Sweet 16, too. It's unclear where Koval will end up playing next, though she can not join a new program for the 2026-27 campaign.
While specifics of her departure aren't known, there is speculation that it has to do with LSU's signing of 17-year-old Anna Minaeva.

#program #personal #Monday #sunday

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Ukrainian center Kate Koval is leaving LSU less than two weeks after the Tigers brought in a player from Russia.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Monday night that the 6-foot-5 Koval was leaving for "personal reasons," adding that the program will "respect her privacy on her decision."
"We had a long talk about it, and it was a hard decision for her," Mulkey continued. "I know it is hard because she loves LSU. Kate is a great person. She has to do what she feels is right for her, and we fully support her in that. We all wish her the best."
Koval, who was born in Kyiv, began her college career at Notre Dame. She transferred before last season to LSU, where she averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
LSU recently signed Anna Minaeva, a 6-5 post player who previously played professionally with MBA Moscow.

#player

Kim Mulkey is set to start her sixth season as the head coach of the LSU Tigers. In her second year with the team, she entered the LSU history when Angel Reese and the team won the first national championship for the first time in their history. They won the infamous 2023 final vs Iowa, which started Reese's iconic rivalry with Caitlin Clark.
Flau'jae Johnson was the last player on the team last season from the NCAA ***** le-winning squad. Mulkey now has a new set of players to lead and bring glory back to Louisiana.
LSU added some important pieces last season. One of the big names was Kate Koval, a Ukrainian international who transferred from Notre Dame for her sophomore year. Mulkey has now added a highly rated freshman, Anna Minaeva from Russia this season, whose recruitment clashed with Koval because of the political tension between the two countries. Mulkey recently shared her conversation with Koval that took place before Minaeva's recruitment.
"I want you to understand I'm not here to ask you to change how you feel about Russia. I'm just here out of respect for your family and out of respect for you to let you know. Because I know how personal it is for you," Mulkey recalled her conversation with Koval.
6-foot-5 Minaeva averaged 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds in MBA Moscow in Russia.

#mulkey #koval #last #first

Unrivaled, the 3v3 women's basketball league, signed two LSU women's basketball players to its "The Future is Unrivaled" class of 2026. Jada Williams and Mikaylah Williams were two of nine players included in an announcement by the league on Friday.
The pair of experienced guards are among the college game's top players signed to the class. Fellow SEC stars Madison Booker and Joyce Edwards also made the cut alongside UConn's Sarah Strong and KK Arnold. Michigan's Olivia Olson, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge roundup the group.
Last year, Flau'Jae Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley signed with Unrivaled in the inaugural class, which included 14 players. Johnson currently plays for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA after four seasons in Baton Rouge while Fulwiley returns for a second season under head coach Kim Mulkey.
Jada Williams signed with the Tigers and projects to be the starting point guard in 2026-27. She fills an immediate need after Jada Richard departed for Ole Miss. A proven floor general, Williams averaged 15.3 points, 7.7 **** ists and 3.5 rebounds per game with Iowa State last year.
Mikaylah Williams started for LSU immediately upon her arrival to campus. The rising senior plays inside and out on both ends of the court. She averages 15.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game on 48% shooting from the field across three seasons with the Tigers.

#class #johnson #tigers

BATON ROUGE – The final piece of the puzzle is finally in place for 2026-27 for Kim Mulkey and the LSU women's basketball team.
LSU announced the official addition of 6-5 forward Anna Minaeva from Russia Aug. 14. After months of speculation of when Mulkey would bring in Minaeva, who had rumored to be who the LSU staff had zeroed in on, the waiting game is over for both parties.
Minaeva landed in the United States Thursday. She is the second international signee this offseason for LSU joining Spaniard Noa Morro, who's been with LSU for much of this summer.
LSU VS UCONN IN NASHVILLE Kim Mulkey v Geno Auriemma. LSU women's hoops to face UConn in Nashville
The 17-year-old Russian has been playing professional basketball in her home country mostly for MBA Moscow-2, the second level squad before being promoted to the top flight team where she averaged 5.6 points with four rebounds in just 12 games.

#mulkey #nashville

UConn and LSU, two of the dominant women's college basketball programs in the country, will play in Nashville during the 2026-27 season.
The game had been acknowledged since January but no official release of location was announced until Aug. 7. It will be played on Dec. 20 at Bridgestone Arena as part of the Sprouts Farm Market espnW Invitational. The invitational also features Virginia vs. Kentucky women.
The invitational features two of the top top women's basketball coaches in the country in Geno Auriemma at UConn and Kim Mulkey at LSU. It is the two programs' first meeting since Nov. 20, 2016.
Game times have not yet been announced.
UConn reached the NCAA Women's Tournament Final Four in 2026, falling to national runner-up South Carolina and Dawn Staley. UConn finished last season 38-1. LSU was 29-6 and lost in the Sweet 16 to Duke.

#Basketball #programs #since #announced

Why Dominque Malonga's Kevin Durant workout should scare the rest of the WNBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Remember when Victor Wembanyama worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon?
Less than a year later, Wembanyama guided the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
Dominique Malonga is hoping to have a similar impact on the Seattle Storm, who find themselves lingering around the WNBA basement right now but may be ticketed for a competitive leap in 2027.
MORE: Kim Mulkey celebrates Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson reunion before Dream-Storm game

Kim Mulkey celebrates Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson reunion before Dream-Storm game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Few coaches have watched more future WNBA stars develop than Kim Mulkey, and Thursday night offered another proud moment for the LSU legend.
Before the Atlanta Dream hosted the Seattle Storm, Mulkey took to social media to celebrate a reunion between two key pieces of LSU's 2023 national championship team: Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson.
"Wow! I watched my girls bring a Natty to LSU and now I'm seeing them shine in the WNBA! Proud to watch these two LSU Tigers tonight in Atlanta! Tune in on Prime Video at 7:00 pm CT!" Mulkey wrote.
Her post resonated with LSU fans, who remember Reese and Johnson helping deliver the program's first NCAA women's basketball national championship. Now, just three years later, the former teammates have become two of the WNBA's brightest stars, meeting for the first time this season as opponents.

Year six of the Kim Mulkey era at LSU won't officially begin until November, but the Mulkey Tigers now know at least where they'll play their fellow SEC opponents once conference play begins.
The league office announced that conference play will begin on Thursday, December 31, 2026. Dates, tipoff times, and TV schedules will be announced at a later date.
For the 18th season in a row, teams will play a 16-game conference schedule. All teams will have eight games at home and eight games on the road, with a single round robin format (14 games) and one rotating home-and-home opponent that changes annually.
This year, LSU draws Auburn as its rotating opponent. Aside from Auburn, LSU will host Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma to the PMAC. That also means LSU will travel to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Postseason play officially begins on Wednesday, March 3 with round one of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament. The tournament will once again be held at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina and conclude with the championship game on Sunday, March 7.

With consecutive Sweet 16 appearances in its back pockets, the UNC women's basketball team continues to prove itself as a top program and ACC contender.
Courtney Banghart's Tar Heels won 28 games last season, highlighted by an upset win over archival Duke on Senior Day. North Carolina opened postseason play with its second win over Virginia Tech, then later beat Western Illinois and Maryland to begin its NCAA Tournament run.
Looking ahead to this fall, UNC just added a tough opponent to its schedule. On Wednesday, December 2, the Tar Heels will host LSU in the ACC-SEC Challenge.
Tip-off time will be announced at a later date, but this continues a recent trend of North Carolina facing SEC powers in this now-annual challenge. UNC lost at second-ranked Texas last year, stomped ranked Kentucky two years ago and played South Carolina close three seasons ago.
The Tigers, who won their first NCAA Tournament ***** le back in 2023 with now-WNBA stars Flau'Jae Johnson and Angel Reese, ended 2026 in the Sweet 16 against Duke. Kim Mulkey's squad will search for its sixth-straight Big Dance appearance, with the Tar Heels certain to be an early-season test.