Sandrine Gruda
Encyclopedia
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center
position for the Connecticut Sun
in the WNBA.
. 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.
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.
She is currently playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia during the 2008–09 European season.
, 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.
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
position for the Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
in the WNBA.
Before the WNBA
She is the daughter of Ulysse Gruda, who played for the French men's national basketball team, and grew up on MartiniqueMartinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
. Before joining the WNBA, Gruda played professionally for the French club Union Sportive Valenciennes Olympic
Union Sportive Valenciennes Olympic
US Valenciennes Olympic is a former French basketball team based in Valenciennes. It will be replaced by Union Hainaut Basket, because of the merging with Union Saint-Amand Porte du Hainaut ....
. 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 Draft2007 WNBA Draft
The 2007 WNBA Draft was the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league....
by the Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
. She did not join the Sun until the 2008 season
2008 WNBA season
-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
. She was highly touted by head coach Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
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.
She is currently playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia during the 2008–09 European season.
National team
Gruda is the starting center for the French national teamFrance women's national basketball team
The France women's national basketball team is the national basketball team representing France. It is administrated by the Fédération Française de Basket-Ball .-Olympic games record:-World Championship record:...
, and led her team to the EuroBasket 2009
EuroBasket Women 2009
The 2009 European Women Basketball Championship, commonly called EuroBasket Women 2009, was the 32nd regional championship held by FIBA Europe. The competition was held in Latvia from June 7 to June 20, 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
2006 FIBA World Championship for Women
The 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women took place in Brazil from September 12 to September 23, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation and Confederação Brasileira de Basketball, the Brazilian national federation....
and the EuroBasket 2007
EuroBasket Women 2007
- Group B :- Group C :- Group D :-Qualifying round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:-5th place bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:...
, reaching the quarter-finals both times.