Ukraine's Koval switches college teams after clash over Russian player signing

Ukrainian basketball player Kate Koval, 20, has joined Baylor University in Texas after departing Louisiana State University (LSU).

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) granted Koval a transfer waiver at LSU's request, allowing her to switch schools even though the standard transfer window had already closed in April. Such waivers are only granted for extenuating circumstances unrelated to sport and outside an athlete's control, and the triggering event must occur after the athlete's last chance to enter the transfer portal.

Koval played in all 35 of LSU's games last season, averaging 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. After LSU signed 17-year-old Russian player Anna Minaeva, it was announced that Koval had left the team for "personal reasons" following her first season there.

Koval later explained that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was behind her decision. Writing on Instagram, she said her father serves in the Ukrainian military, defending the country against Russian aggression. She said the war was not distant for her, noting that people close to her had been killed or wounded in Russian attacks, and that places where she grew up and first played basketball had been destroyed by missile strikes.

She added that the timing of the situation and its personal impact on her, her family, and loved ones still living through and fighting the war made her question whether LSU remained the right fit for her.

BBC Sport has contacted LSU to confirm the exact terms under which the waiver was requested.