Sandrine Gruda

Sandrine Gruda

File:Sandrine Gruda 7.jpg
Personal information
Born	(1987-06-25) 25 June 1987 Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Nationality	French
Listed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight	185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
WNBA draft	2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th overall
Selected by the Connecticut Sun
Playing career	2005–present
Position	Center
Career history
2005–2007	US Valenciennes
2007–present	UMMC Ekaterinburg
2008–2010	Connecticut Sun
2014	Los Angeles Sparks
Career highlights and awards
FIBA Europe Player of the Year (2009) FIBA Euroleague All-Star (2007) FIBA MVP World Championship for Youth (2007) 2× MVP Best French Player of the French Championship (2006, 2007) FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year (2006)
Stats at NBA.com
Medals Men's Basketball Representing France Olympic Games 2012 London Team EuroBasket 2009 Latvia Team 2013 France Team 2011 Poland Team

Sandrine Gruda (born 25 June 1987) is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Superleague. Gruda played 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. She was voted the best European young women's player of the year 2006.

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.

In 2014, she returned to the WNBA after a three-year absence, joining the Los Angeles Sparks as a backup center.

European career

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

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. She also took part in the World Championship 2006 and the EuroBasket 2007, reaching the quarter-finals both times.

External links

• Sandrine Gruda Official Site sandrinegruda.com

Preceded by Maria Stepanova

FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year 2009

Succeeded by Hana Horáková