Sandrine Gruda

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Sandrine Gruda
WNBA's Connecticut Sun  – No. 7
Center
Born (1987-06-25) 25 June 1987
Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Nationality French
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg)
Draft 13th overall, 2007
Connecticut Sun
WNBA career 2008–2010
Non-WNBA career 2005–present
Profile WNBA player profile
WNBA teams
Connecticut Sun (2008–2010)
Non-WNBA teams
US Valenciennes (2005–07)
UMMC Ekaterinburg (2007–present)
Awards and honors

2009 FIBA Europe Player of the Year 2009 FIBA Europe Best Center of the European Championship
2007 FIBA Euroleague All-Star
2007 FIBA MVP World Championship for Youth
2007 MVP Best French Player and Best Rookie of the French Championship
2006 FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year.
2006 MVP Best French Player and Best Rookie of the French Championship


2005 FIBA Europe Best Center of the European Championship for Youth

Sandrine Gruda (born 25 June 1987, in Cannes, France) is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Superleague. Gruda plays the center position the French Olympic team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She played with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from to 2008 to 2010.

Before the WNBA

She is the daughter of Ulysse Gruda, who played for the French men's national basketball team, and grew up on Martinique. Before joining the WNBA, Gruda played professionally for the French club Union Sportive Valenciennes Olympic. She began playing on senior level in 2002, and professionally in 2005.[1] She was voted the best European young women's player of the year 2006.[2]

WNBA career

Gruda was drafted 13th overall in the 2007 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun. She did not join the Sun until the 2008 season. She was highly touted by head coach Mike Thibault before joining the team. During her rookie season, she provided solid bench play and with her height and length, was a consistent rebounder and shot-blocker.

European career

She is currently playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia since the 2008–09 European season.[3]

National team

Gruda is the starting center for the French national team, and led her team to the EuroBasket 2009 title. She was the best scorer and rebounder of the French side, and was voted to the all-tournament team.[4] She also took part in the World Championship 2006 and the EuroBasket 2007,[2] reaching the quarter-finals both times.

Notes

  1. Gruda For President fibaeurope.com
  2. 2.0 2.1 Gruda Honoured As Young Player Of The Year eurobasketwomen2007.com
  3. Offseason 2008–09: Overseas Roster
  4. Gruda, Dumerc Highlight All-Tournament Team eurobasketwomen2009.com

External links

Preceded by
Maria Stepanova
FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year
2009
Succeeded by
Hana Horáková
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