Ukrainian basketball player Kate Koval has transferred to Baylor University after leaving Louisiana State University (LSU) in protest at the signing of a Russian player. The 20-year-old, whose father serves in the Ukrainian military, said the presence of a Russian teammate at LSU had become impossible to reconcile given the ongoing war and its personal toll on her family and community. The NCAA granted her a transfer waiver despite the window having closed in April, allowing the move to go ahead outside the normal process.

Koval had played in all 35 of LSU's matches last season, averaging 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, before departing initially for stated "personal reasons" following the arrival of 17-year-old Russian recruit Anna Minaeva. She later explained on Instagram that relatives and places from her childhood had been affected by Russian attacks, making it impossible to stay. Such late transfer waivers are only granted by the NCAA in extenuating circumstances unrelated to sport and beyond the athlete's control; BBC Sport has asked LSU to clarify the exact grounds cited in Koval's case.