Transfer portal: Former Notre Dame women's basketball center Kate Koval commits to LSU
The first of four Notre Dame women’s basketball players who entered the transfer portal last week announced where she’ll play next on Monday. Kate Koval committed to LSU.
Koval, a 6-5 center with three years of eligibility remaining, arrived at Notre Dame a year ago as the No. 5 recruit in the class of 2024 according to ESPN. Koval played in 32 games with 10 starts in her lone season with the Fighting Irish. She averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 18.3 minutes per game.
Koval recently said goodbye to Notre Dame in a social media post.
“Although I’ve only been here for a year, this place has had a tremendous impact on me,” Koval wrote. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a special program and university, even if just for a short time.
“To my coaches, teammates, and everyone who supported me along the way—thank you. I’ve learned so much during my time here, and I’ll carry those lessons with me wherever I go.
“To the Notre Dame fans—thank you for your unwavering support, your passion, and the love you’ve shown through every high and low. Playing in front of you is an experience I will always treasure.”
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Jarin Stevenson
Alabama forward to transfer
- 2New
Baseball Field of 64
Projecting NCAA Baseball Tournament
- 3
ESPN Top 25
Way Too Early hoops rankings
- 4Hot
Mel Kiper
2-round mock draft
- 5
Pop Isaacs
Creighton guard commits to Houston
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Koval told Blue & Gold in the locker room following Notre Dame’s 71-62 loss to TCU in the Sweet 16 on March 29 that she had not thought too far ahead about the upcoming season. She might’ve already had her mind on her next destination at that time anyway. She did say, though, she felt Notre Dame coaches would “do an amazing job putting the team together for next year.”
That’s where attention needs to be right now for head coach Niele Ivey and her staff.
The Irish have to hit the transfer portal hard themselves this month. Koval left the program along with graduate senior guard Olivia Miles, graduate senior center Kylee Watson and junior guard Emma Risch. Notre Dame only has four scholarship players — freshman forward Leah Macy, junior guard Hannah Hidalgo, senior guards KK Bransford and Cassandre Prosper — on the 2025-26 roster before any incoming transfers have been announced.
This offseason cycle is just as much about quantity as it is about quality for Ivey and Co. The Irish can’t get too caught up in only accepting the best players. They’ve got to take all that they can get.
