Kate Koval Is Leaving The LSU Women’s Basketball Team

By Staff Reporter•Aug 24, 20267:15 pm•

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

LSU Women's Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey issued a statement on Monday to announce that Kate Koval is leaving the program for personal reasons.

quote:
"Kate came to see me on Sunday and told me that after much consideration, she will be leaving the program for personal reasons. 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 all wish her the best.”

Koval was expected to be an important returning piece for LSU in 2026-27.

Koval appeared in all 35 games for the Tigers last season, making 17 starts while averaging 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Koval also recorded seven double-doubles and finished second on the team with 43 blocked shots.

The 6-foot-5 forward transferred to LSU from Notre Dame ahead of the 2025-26 season after earning ACC All-Freshman honors during her lone year with the Fighting Irish.

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Hoss00•2 months

Kate is awesome!?? ??

SOL2•2 months

Say it ain't so

LSUGOAT2•2 months

This is 100% on Mulkey. She NEVER should have signed that damn Russian. That was like a slap in the face to Kate. I hate seeing her leave but I sure as hell dont blame her

Metaloctopus•2 months

The Russian player did not start a war with her people. I don't know what Kate's reason is for leaving, but if that's the reason, she needs to learn that the world doesn't revolve around her. There are people who live in countries, who have no say in what their leadership does. If you can't get along with those people, that's on you. Again, though, her reason might not be that at all.

TaderSalad•2 months

If Kate left because of competition, then she's not a competitor. She'll face hardships the rest of her career if she doesn't want to compete for a starting role.

Fightin Okra•2 months

She’s from Ukraine and Mulkey just signed a Russian. In case you have been under a rock for several years, these two countries are at war with each other

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Recoveringcajun•2 months

Oh no!

eetiger•2 months

Her father serves in the Ukraine Army. I can understand the awkwardness.

LaSportsFan1•2 months

Seemed to be a good player with potential.

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