BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY
Sandrine Gruda
 | |
| WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks – No. 7 | |
|---|---|
| Center | |
| Born | 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–present |
| Non-WNBA career | 2005–present |
| Profile | WNBA player profile |
| WNBA teams | |
| Connecticut Sun (2008–2010) Los Angeles Sparks (2014-present) | |
| Non-WNBA teams | |
| US Valenciennes (2005–07) UMMC Ekaterinburg (2007–) | |
| 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) is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, and UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Superleague. Gruda played the centerposition the French Olympic team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She played with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBAfrom 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 onMartinique. 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.
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.[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.
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