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Sandrine Gruda

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Sandrine Gruda
Gruda in 2016
Personal information
Born (1987-06-25) 25 June 1987 (age 37)
Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
NationalityFrench
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
WNBA draft2007: 1st round, 13th overall pick
Selected by the Connecticut Sun
Playing career2005–2024
PositionCenter
Number7
Career history
2005–2007US Valenciennes
2007–2016UMMC Ekaterinburg
2008–2010Connecticut Sun
2014Los Angeles Sparks
2016Los Angeles Sparks
2016–2017Fenerbahçe Istanbul
2017Los Angeles Sparks
2018Yakın Doğu
2018–2022PF Schio
2022–2024ASVEL Féminin
Career highlights and awards
Stats at WNBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing  France
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2012 London Team
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo Team
EuroBasket
Gold medal – first place 2009 Latvia
Silver medal – second place 2013 France
Silver medal – second place 2015 Hungary/Romania
Silver medal – second place 2019 Serbia/Latvia
Silver medal – second place 2021 Spain/France
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Poland
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Israel/Slovenia

Sandrine Gruda (born 25 June 1987) is a French former professional basketball player.[1]

Before the WNBA

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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.[2] She was voted the best European young women's player of the year 2006.[3]

WNBA career

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Gruda during the 2017 finals
Gruda in 2024

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 reserve on the roster. Gruda sat out the 2015 season to prepare for the 2016 Summer Olympics with the France 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 the Minnesota 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 the Phoenix Mercury in a 3-game sweep, setting up a rematch with the Lynx. However, the Sparks would lose to the Lynx in five games.

Overseas career

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She played for the Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg from 2007 to 2016. On 6 July 2016, Fenerbahçe Istanbul announced her transfer to the club.

National team

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Gruda is the starting center for the France women's national basketball 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,[3] reaching the quarter-finals both times.

References

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  1. ^ "EuroLeague Women legend Gruda calls time on stellar career". www.fiba.basketball. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  2. ^ Gruda For President fibaeurope.com
  3. ^ a b Gruda Honoured As Young Player Of The Year at the Wayback Machine (archived 19 July 2008)
  4. ^ a b Sparks Sign Veteran Forward/center Sandrine Gruda
  5. ^ Sparks sign veteran Sandrine Gruda
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