LSU adds Kate Koval as Tigers lose third player to transfer portal

Field Level Media|published: Mon 7th April, 22:12 2025

Notre Dame forward Kate Koval (13) goes after a loose ball during the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Notre Dame and Stephen F. Austin at Purcell Pavilion on Friday, March 21, 2025, in South Bend.

LSU announced the signing of Notre Dame transfer forward Kate Koval on Monday in the wake of losing three players to the portal.

Center Aalyah Del Rosario entered the portal Monday, following teammates Sa'Myah Smith and Last-Tear Poa, who entered the portal earlier this month.

Koval, a native of Ukraine, averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over 32 games (10 starts) this past season. She was named to the ACC All-Freshman team.

"Having recruited Kate out of high school, we are very aligned in our vision for her personal development and the impact she can have on our program," LSU coach Kim Mulkey said in a statement. "Tiger fans will love the skill, physicality and passion that Kate will bring with her to Baton Rouge!"

Del Rosario appeared in 28 games off the bench for LSU in her second season with the program and averaged 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. She averages of 3.5 points and 2.9 rebounds for her career.

Smith played three seasons at LSU, though she was limited to seven games in 2023-24 by a season-ending knee injury. The forward has posted career averages of 6.1 points and 5.4 rebounds and averaged 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds this past season.

Poa, a guard, averaged 3.5 points and 2.0 assists per game in 102 games (27 starts) for LSU over three seasons, including a career-low 2.0 points and 1.9 assists in 2024-25.

--Field Level Media

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