 Gruda in 2016 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1987-06-25)25 June 1987 (age 37) 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: 1st round, 13th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Connecticut Sun |
| Playing career | 2005–2024 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 7 |
| Career history | |
| 2005–2007 | US Valenciennes |
| 2007–2016 | UMMC Ekaterinburg |
| 2008–2010 | Connecticut Sun |
| 2014 | Los Angeles Sparks |
| 2016 | Los Angeles Sparks |
| 2016–2017 | Fenerbahçe Istanbul |
| 2017 | Los Angeles Sparks |
| 2018 | Yakın Doğu |
| 2018–2022 | PF Schio |
| 2022–2024 | ASVEL Féminin |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at WNBA.com | |
Stats atBasketball Reference  | |
Sandrine Gruda (born 25 June 1987) is a French former professionalbasketball player.[1]
She is the daughter ofUlysse Gruda, who played for the French men's national basketball team, and grew up onMartinique. Before joining the WNBA, Gruda played professionally for the French clubUnion Sportive Valenciennes Olympic. She began playing on senior level in 2002, and professionally in 2005.[2] She was voted the bestEuropean young women's player of the year 2006.[3]
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Gruda was drafted 13th overall in the2007 WNBA draft by theConnecticut Sun. She did not join the Sun until the2008 season. She was highly touted by head coachMike 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 theLos Angeles Sparks as a reserve on the roster. Gruda sat out the 2015 season to prepare for the2016 Summer Olympics with theFrance women's national basketball team in the qualifying tournament.[4] In 2016, Gruda re-signed with the Sparks after the Olympic break.[4] Later on in the season, Gruda would win her first WNBA championship with the Sparks after they defeated theMinnesota Lynx 3–2 in the Finals. Following the championship victory, after not being re-signed during free agency, Gruda returned to the Sparks midway through the 2017 season.[5] The Sparks would go on to advance to the Finals for the second season in a row, after defeating thePhoenix Mercury in a 3-game sweep, setting up a rematch with the Lynx. However, the Sparks would lose to the Lynx in five games.
She played for the Russian clubUMMC Ekaterinburg from 2007 to 2016. On 6 July 2016,Fenerbahçe Istanbul announced her transfer to the club.
Gruda is the starting center for the France women's national basketball team, and led her team to theEuroBasket 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 theWorld Championship 2006 and theEuroBasket 2007,[3] reaching the quarter-finals both times.
Sandrine Gruda—awards, championships and honours | |||||||
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