--- title: "\"Extraordinary Circumstances\": NCAA Makes an Exception for Ukrainian Center Koval After LSU Scandal" description: "The NCAA made an exception for Ukrainian center Kateryna Koval, allowing an immediate transfer from LSU after the signing of Russian player Minaeva there. The athlete is now seeking a new team." date: 2026-09-11T11:32:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ncaa-koval-transfer-lsu-minaeva-en tags: [ncaa, basketball, ukraine, lsu, transfer] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "Extraordinary Circumstances": NCAA Makes an Exception for Ukrainian Center Koval After LSU Scandal ![Ukrainian center Koval in an LSU uniform on the basketball court after the NCAA granted her an exception](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/11/ncaa-koval-transfer-lsu-minaeva/ncaa-koval-transfer-lsu-minaeva-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The NCAA granted Kateryna Koval an immediate transfer, citing "extraordinary circumstances beyond the athlete's control" - Koval left LSU after the university signed Russian center Anna Minaeva; the athlete's father serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine - Without the exception, Koval faced missing a season due to the closed transfer window; she is now seeking a new team in the NCAA Ukrainian basketball player, center Kateryna Koval, received special permission from the U.S. collegiate governing body (NCAA) to make an immediate transfer to a new university. The organization made an exception to the standard rules, classifying the situation as "extraordinary circumstances beyond the athlete's control." This decision allowed the 20-year-old athlete to change teams without disqualification and without losing a season that she was originally at risk of missing. ### The LSU Scandal and Koval's Principled Stance The reason for Koval's departure was the position taken by Louisiana State University (LSU), which signed a contract with Russian center Anna Minaeva. For the Ukrainian basketball player, this move was a matter of principle: Kateryna's father serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and playing on the same team as a Russian player became unacceptable to her. In the end, Koval decided to leave the LSU roster, even though news of Minaeva's transfer emerged only after the official transfer window had closed. ### How the NCAA Bypassed the Formal Restriction Because information about the Russian player's signing appeared after the transfer window had closed, under the standard rules Koval, who decided to leave in response to that decision, faced disqualification and the loss of an entire season. However, the NCAA reviewed the case individually and applied the wording "extraordinary circumstances beyond the athlete's control." It was precisely this basis that allowed the league to permit an immediate transfer without sanctions, preserving Koval's right to continue her career in American collegiate basketball. ### The Search for a New Team and the Context of Ukrainian Basketball Now the 20-year-old Koval is looking for a new team in which she can continue competing in the NCAA. Meanwhile, the backdrop in Ukrainian basketball remains tense: the start of the season in the national SuperLeague was postponed due to the security situation. Thus, Koval's decision and the NCAA's exception became a notable episode in which a sporting career, the geopolitical context, and the flexibility of the American collegiate league's regulations intersected. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - ["Due to Extraordinary Circumstances": NCAA Makes an Exception for Koval After Scandal Involving a Russian Player](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/basketball/cherez-nadzvichayni-obstavini-ncaa-zrobila-1789126060.html) - Подтверждает разрешение NCAA, формулировку «чрезвычайные обстоятельства», уход Коваль из LSU после подписания Минаевой и службу отца в ВСУ. - [An Exception Was Made. NCAA Allows Kateryna Koval to Change Teams](https://sport.ua/news/906291-sdelali-isklyuchenie-ncaa-razreshila-katerine-koval-smenit-komandu) - Подтверждает факт исключения NCAA и разрешение на смену команды. - [Russian Basketball Player Anna Minaeva Moved to LSU, After Which a Ukrainian Left the NCAA Team ...](https://www.championat.com/basketball/article-6598484-rossijskaya-basketbolistka-anna-minaeva-pereshla-v-lsu-posle-chego-komandu-ncaa-pokinula-ukrainka-ekaterina-koval.html) - Подтверждает хронологию: переход Минаевой в LSU и последующий уход Коваль. - [Ukrainian Koval Left LSU After the Signing of Russian Player Minaeva](https://life.ru/p/1916233) - Подтверждает причину ухода Коваль из LSU. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Why did the NCAA allow Koval an immediate transfer? **A:** The NCAA classified the situation as "extraordinary circumstances beyond the athlete's control" and made an exception to the rules, allowing her to change teams without disqualification. ### Q: Why did Koval leave LSU? **A:** After LSU signed Russian center Anna Minaeva. For Koval this was a matter of principle, since her father serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. ### Q: What happens next with Koval's career? **A:** The 20-year-old basketball player is looking for a new team to continue her career in American collegiate basketball (NCAA). ### Q: What is happening with the Ukrainian basketball SuperLeague? **A:** The start of the season in the Ukrainian SuperLeague was postponed due to the security situation.