Kate Koval, a sophomore forward who joined the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team for the 2025 campaign, has announced she will leave the program for personal reasons, bringing an end to her first season with the club. In 35 appearances she logged 16.6 minutes per game, contributed 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and shot 56 percent from the field while hitting 75 percent of her free throws, ultimately tallying 292 points for the Tigers.
Head coach Kim Mulkey publicly acknowledged the decision, describing Koval as a great person and stressing that the program fully respects her choice and privacy.
Her exit creates a noticeable gap in the frontcourt, forcing the coaching staff to reassess the roster and explore options to replace her minutes and rebounding presence as the team gears up for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead
The Tigers will lean on returning players and incoming recruits to fill the void, aiming to maintain competitiveness in the SEC and preserve the momentum built during a promising debut season.