Kate Koval was LSU women’s basketball’s first transfer portal commitment during the spring 2025 window. She joins the Tigers after one season at Notre Dame.
The rising sophomore forward will fight for a starting role on head coach Kim Mulkey’s team, which is losing a ton of production in the frontcourt. Departures to the portal and WNBA leave the Tigers without experienced contributors underneath.
As an All-ACC Freshman team honoree, Koval averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. The Kyiv, Ukraine native played a large role as a reserve with strong abilities around the rim during the postseason for the Fighting Irish.
Mulkey secured Koval’s commitment after coming up short in her initial recruiting process. The McDonald’s All-American and former top-five prospect was one of multiple big names to depart Notre Dame following a Sweet Sixteen loss to TCU in the NCAA Tournament.
Here are three things to know about Koval and her future with LSU.
Koval brings height to rebuilding LSU front court
Now that All-American Aneesah Morrow and fellow forward Sa’Myah Smith are no longer with the program, LSU is in desperate need of forwards to balance out returning guard tandem Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams.
At six-foot-five, Koval contributes on both ends of the court. She finished with 55 blocks and six double-digit scoring performances in her first college season. For a program looking to replace a double-double machine in Morrow, Koval will need to work on tracking rebounds during her first offseason with the Tigers.
Strong contributions as substitute prove stamina
Koval averaged 18 minutes per contest as a freshman with Notre Dame. She contributed heavily during ACC Tournament and March Madness on a team full of star power, including guards Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles.
The forward played 30 or more minutes in early-season wins over top-five-ranked Texas and UConn. Koval’s extended use as a substitute in high-pressure games makes her ready for a full schedule of SEC opponents at LSU.
Trust established between Mulkey and Koval
LSU and Notre Dame were Koval’s final two schools during her recruiting process as part of the 2024 class. She ultimately picked the Fighting Irish most likely due to the return of Morrow and Smith as she knew it would be difficult to carve out a large role.
In order to take her game to the next level and be a large part of the Tigers’ quest for a second national championship, Koval must trust in Mulkey’s ability to develop forwards into professional-level athletes. She has a strong foundation to build upon on both ends of the floor.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU transfer portal: Three things to know about Kate Koval
Kate Koval was LSU women’s basketball’s first transfer portal commitment during the spring 2025 window. She joins the Tigers after one season at Notre Dame.
The rising sophomore forward will fight for a starting role on head coach Kim Mulkey’s team, which is losing a ton of production in the frontcourt. Departures to the portal and WNBA leave the Tigers without experienced contributors underneath.
As an All-ACC Freshman team honoree, Koval averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. The Kyiv, Ukraine native played a large role as a reserve with strong abilities around the rim during the postseason for the Fighting Irish.
Mulkey secured Koval’s commitment after coming up short in her initial recruiting process. The McDonald’s All-American and former top-five prospect was one of multiple big names to depart Notre Dame following a Sweet Sixteen loss to TCU in the NCAA Tournament.
Here are three things to know about Koval and her future with LSU.
Koval brings height to rebuilding LSU front court
Now that All-American Aneesah Morrow and fellow forward Sa’Myah Smith are no longer with the program, LSU is in desperate need of forwards to balance out returning guard tandem Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams.
At six-foot-five, Koval contributes on both ends of the court. She finished with 55 blocks and six double-digit scoring performances in her first college season. For a program looking to replace a double-double machine in Morrow, Koval will need to work on tracking rebounds during her first offseason with the Tigers.
Strong contributions as substitute prove stamina
Koval averaged 18 minutes per contest as a freshman with Notre Dame. She contributed heavily during ACC Tournament and March Madness on a team full of star power, including guards Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles.
The forward played 30 or more minutes in early-season wins over top-five-ranked Texas and UConn. Koval’s extended use as a substitute in high-pressure games makes her ready for a full schedule of SEC opponents at LSU.
Trust established between Mulkey and Koval
LSU and Notre Dame were Koval’s final two schools during her recruiting process as part of the 2024 class. She ultimately picked the Fighting Irish most likely due to the return of Morrow and Smith as she knew it would be difficult to carve out a large role.
In order to take her game to the next level and be a large part of the Tigers’ quest for a second national championship, Koval must trust in Mulkey’s ability to develop forwards into professional-level athletes. She has a strong foundation to build upon on both ends of the floor.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU transfer portal: Three things to know about Kate Koval
