COMMIT NEWS: LSU Lands Towering Russian Center Anna Minaeva, Adding Elite Size to Mulkey’s Frontcourt
BATON ROUGE, La. — Kim Mulkey has never been shy about building her teams from the inside out, and on Friday, LSU women’s basketball officially announced the signing of one of the most intriguing international prospects in recent memory. Anna Minaeva, a 6-foot-5 center from Russia, has signed with the Tigers, the program confirmed, immediately bolstering a frontcourt that already projects as one of the tallest and most formidable in the Southeastern Conference .
The addition of Minaeva, who turned 17 just months ago, caps a lengthy and complex recruitment that spanned continents and required navigating unique visa hurdles. She arrived in Baton Rouge early Saturday morning after a grueling 34-hour journey from Moscow, touching down at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport where LSU assistant coaches Jennifer Roberts and Kaylin Rice were waiting to welcome her .
For Mulkey, the signing represents a calculated strike to address a glaring need for rim protection and low-post depth following the Tigers’ Sweet Sixteen exit at the hands of Duke last March.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Anna to our LSU family,” Mulkey said in a statement released by the university. “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” .
From Moscow to the Bayou
Minaeva is not a typical high school recruit. While most American prospects her age are navigating AAU circuits and prep school schedules, she has been competing against grown women in Russia’s professional ranks. She spent the bulk of the 2025-26 season with MBA Moscow-2, the developmental affiliate of the professional club, where she dominated the competition. In 17 games, she averaged a double-double with 15.1 points on 50.8 percent shooting and 13.7 rebounds per contest, adding 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks .
Her performance earned a promotion to the senior squad in the Russian Premier League for the final three months of the season. Facing top-tier competition, including former WNBA players, Minaeva held her own. In 12 appearances, she averaged 5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in limited minutes, shooting a respectable 46.3 percent from the floor . Across all competitions for MBA Moscow, she averaged 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds in 29 games .
“She is a very polished player in the post,” a Western Conference scout told 247Sports. “She can post up in the paint, but she also has really good vision and is able to find open teammates when she doesn’t get the shot she wants. She should also fit into Mulkey’s offensive system with her ability to excel in the pick-and-roll” .
Filling a Specific Need
The signing of Minaeva is not merely about adding talent; it is about adding a specific type of talent that LSU lacked at times last season. Despite featuring capable bigs like Kate Koval and Grace Knox, the Tigers occasionally struggled with foul trouble and consistent rim protection against elite, physical frontcourts.
Minaeva’s scouting profile suggests she addresses those exact weaknesses. Despite her youth, she possesses a mature frame and exceptional mobility for her size. Analysts note that she is extremely quick on her feet defensively, allowing her to block shots without excessive fouling—a discipline that is often rare in young post players . Offensively, her footwork in screen-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations is advanced, and she can handle the ball better than most traditional centers, enabling her to push the break after defensive rebounds .
She joins a suddenly crowded and towering LSU frontcourt. With the return of Koval, the continued development of Knox, the addition of Spanish forward Noa Morro (6-foot-3), and the eventual arrival of five-star 2027 commit Caroline Bradley (6-foot-5), Mulkey has assembled a roster that can match up physically with any team in the country . For the upcoming 2026-27 season, Minaeva is expected to provide immediate depth behind Koval, allowing Mulkey to deploy a relentless rotation of fresh, sizable bodies in the paint.
The Recruiting Landscape
Minaeva’s commitment is a significant victory on the international recruiting trail, but it comes during a period of mixed results for Mulkey and her staff on the domestic front. While LSU celebrated landing Bradley earlier this spring, the Tigers have recently missed out on several high-profile guards and wings in the 2027 class.
Just last week, five-star point guard Jezelle “GG” Banks chose South Carolina over LSU and Texas, and five-star center Zaniya Johnson also committed to the Gamecocks over the Tigers . Those losses stung, particularly within the SEC, but the addition of Minaeva softens the blow by addressing the immediate roster needs for the upcoming season rather than the long-term future.
Mulkey’s strategy appears to be clear: build a team that can dominate the paint and control the glass, then surround that size with elite perimeter play. With guards like Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley returning, along with the addition of Iowa State transfer Jada Williams at the point, LSU has the playmaking to feed the post .
What’s Next for Minaeva?
Minaeva will have a few weeks to acclimate to campus before classes begin on August 24. She will need to adjust to the speed of the American game, the physicality of the SEC, and the cultural transition of living in Louisiana after growing up in Moscow. The coaching staff has emphasized patience, noting that she will not be asked to carry the load immediately.
However, her professional experience—even in a limited role in the Russian Premier League—suggests she is further along than a typical freshman. She has already played against professionals and understands the rigors of a long season.
For LSU fans, the excitement surrounding Minaeva is palpable. She represents the final piece of the puzzle for a roster that now boasts elite size at every position. If she can adapt quickly, the Tigers may have found the anchor they need to make a deep run in March.
As Mulkey put it, the courage it takes to travel across the world at 17 is a testament to Minaeva’s character. Now, the basketball world will wait to see if that courage translates into dominance on the court in Baton Rouge.
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