LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey announced Monday that Kate Koval is leaving the Tigers’ program for personal reasons.
Mulkey said Koval informed her of the decision during a meeting Sunday and asked that her privacy be respected.
“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 all wish her the best.”
Koval joined LSU after beginning her college career at Notre Dame. The 6-foot-5 post player was one of the nation's top recruits coming out of Long Island Lutheran High School in New York and was named a McDonald's All-American.
As a freshman at Notre Dame in 2024-25, Koval appeared in 32 games and made 27 starts. She averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field.
Koval transferred to LSU following her freshman season, giving Mulkey another talented interior player for the Tigers.
Her departure now removes a piece from LSU's frontcourt plans as the Tigers prepare for the 2026-27 season.
Mulkey did not provide additional details regarding Koval's decision, and LSU has asked that her privacy be respected.
