Ukrainian star leaves LSU women’s basketball team after signing of Russian recruit

• Center Kate Koval departs after one season with Tigers

• Anna Minaeva of Russia joined team earlier this month

• Kim Mulkey hoped two could be ‘ambassadors’ for peace

Ukrainian center Kate Koval is leaving LSU less than two weeks after the Tigers brought in a player from Russia.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Monday night that Koval was leaving for “personal reasons”, adding that the program will “respect her privacy on her decision”.