A new voice is ringing out loud and clear in the LSU locker room: The name is Kate Koval, a 6-5 forward making waves, shattering records, and gaining admiration among the ranks of women’s NCAA basketball circles, having made a successful transfer from Notre Dame this summer.
Within just three games wearing purple and gold, the sophomore is averaging 11.7 points, 9 boards, and making a ridiculous 70% of all shots attempted. “The missing piece” is already a familiar nickname among LSU fans.
From South Bend to the Bayou
Koval, the Ukrainian-born, entered the USA in 2021, impressing scouts with her height, quickness, and natural-born abilities. She was ranked as the No. 5 prospect overall in the 2024 class of the ESPN HoopGurlz, as well as the No. 1 post player. Koval was a McDonald’s All-American, a SLAM All-American, and a Jordan Brand Classic, all before entering a college game.
At Notre Dame, she made waves early. Appearing in 32 games and starting 10, she averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, which placed among the top five freshman performers at Notre Dame for blocks per game. She even registered a 4-block game in the NCAA tournament, marking the first freshman to do so at Notre Dame in 25 years.
A Freshman Season to Remember
It’s time to talk about the numbers in her Freshman season.
She burst onto the scene with an 18-point, 7-rebound, 5-block performance to open against Mercyhurst, a double-digit rebounding performance at Purdue, and an incomprehensible 19-rebound, 7-block show against Lafayette. Through the middle of November, Koval accumulated 40 points, 33 rebounds, and 15 blocks, making her the lone freshman, man or woman, to achieve this feat through their first three games since Kentucky’s Anthony Davis.
The defensive prowess she brought to Notre Dame was a historic part of the program, with a total of 55 blocks, which ranks as the fourth-most by a freshman in Notre Dame history. She is known as a shutdown painter with all the confidence a veteran brings.
Did LSU Get A Ukrainian Monster?
When Koval joined LSU during the transfer portal, the number one question was “Can she adapt to Kim Mulkey’s system?”The answer has been a yes, so far.
Mulkey, famously tough and demanding as a coach, as well as a championship winner, has prized strength and adaptability, and Koval offers both. The strength comes courtesy of Koval’s European skill set, now combined with American athleticism, making her a formidable opponent, capable of posting up defenders effectively and then stepping back to knock down a medium-range shot.
She brings a new element to LSU, as they finally have a legit rim protector and rebounding beast to pair well with their star guards, Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams.
