The upcoming women’s college basketball season begins in fewer than 90 days. Most rosters are set, but some late additions are still rolling in, even for contenders like LSU.
Kim Mulkey’s Tigers announced the signing of Anna Minaeva, a 6-foot-5 center from Russia, on Friday, Aug. 14. The 17-year-old is expected to strengthen LSU’s post depth as it aims to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament and compete for the SEC title.
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“I’m thrilled to welcome Anna to our LSU family,” Mulkey said in a statement. “She has the experience, skill set and size to make an immediate impact in our frontcourt. It takes tremendous courage to leave home at just 17 years old and travel across the world to pursue a dream. I’m excited to support and guide Anna as she begins this next chapter at LSU.”
Minaeva arrived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after playing professionally in her native country for MBA Moscow. In 29 games across all competitions for the club, she averaged 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in the 2025-26 season. In Russia’s top league — which has featured former WNBA players like Alex Bentley and Destanni Henderson — she averaged 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
According to two people with direct knowledge of Minaeva’s recruitment, she had scholarship offers from multiple SEC programs. Recruiting her was difficult though, the people said, because Russia is still banned from FIBA competitions following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Her recruitment was facilitated through an agent who coordinated Zoom calls and provided game film. The people were granted anonymity because they work in women’s college basketball and are not authorized to speak publicly about a recruit for an opposing team.
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Since winning the national championship in 2023 with a team led by Angel Reese, LSU has advanced to the second weekend of March Madness in three consecutive seasons. In this year’s Sweet 16, the Tigers were upset by Duke on a buzzer-beater by Ashlon Jackson.
With Flau’Jae Johnson moving on to the WNBA, LSU returns a talented roster headlined by two-time SEC Sixth Player of the Year MiLaysia Fulwiley and two-time All-SEC selection Mikaylah Williams. The Tigers also return Grace Knox, ZaKiyah Johnson and Ukrainian center Kate Koval. Mulkey added Iowa State point guard Jada Williams and Florida wing Laila Reynolds through the transfer portal, and top 30 recruit Lola Lampley.
LSU will open the season on Nov. 2 at home against Southeastern Louisiana. Their schedule is highlighted by a Dec. 2 trip to Chapel Hill to face the North Carolina Tar Heels and a neutral site meeting with UConn on Dec. 20 in Nashville, Tennessee.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kim Mulkey adds Russian center to LSU women’s basketball roster
