A Promising Arrival
LSU’s women’s basketball program has added a highly anticipated piece to its roster, a 6‑foot‑5 post player from Russia whose reputation for dominating the paint precedes her.
Anna Minaeva, at just 17, arrives after a season in which she logged 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for MBA Moscow in the Russian Premier League and Superleague, showcasing a blend of size, footwork and defensive instincts.
Coaches have praised her ability to control the low post, protect the rim and orchestrate transition offense, traits that could reshape the Tigers’ interior game as they look ahead to the 2026‑27 campaign.
Head coach Kim Mulkey expressed confidence that Minaeva’s well‑rounded skill set will accelerate the team’s development, noting that the youngster brings a rare combination of physicality and court awareness for a player of her age.
The addition is expected to bolster the frontcourt depth and provide a new dynamic against SEC rivals, with analysts already projecting an immediate impact on the squad’s competitiveness.