UNCASVILLE, Conn.– The Connecticut Sun announced that Sandrine Gruda has been signed to a three-year contract.Per team policy no terms were released.
“We’re really looking forward to having Sandrine in camp,” Sun General Manager Chris Sienko said Friday of the 20-year-old Gruda. “She is one of the top post players in Europe, and we expect her to play a vital role in our frontcourt this season.”
A 6-foot-4 forward/center from France, Gruda was originally selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 2007 WNBA Draft by the Sun, but remained in France last summer to play for the National Team. She is currently a member of UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, which advanced to the Euroleague Final Four with a stunning sweep of previously undefeated CSKA Moscow.
A two-time French League MVP who was the 2006 FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year, Gruda has averaged 14 points per game for UMMC Ekaterinburg, playing in a lineup that includes Connecticut Sun forward Asjha Jones, Detroit Shock guard Deanna Nolan and Minnesota Lynx forward Svetlana Abrosimova.
The Connecticut Sun will open its sixth season of play on May 17th by hosting the Atlanta Dream in Mohegan Sun Arena. Season tickets and mini-plans are on sale now and can be reserved by calling a Sun Ticket Representative at 1.877.SUN.TIXX (786-8499).
