Background
She is the daughter of Ulysse Gruda, who played for the French men"s national basketball team, and grew up on Martinique.
She is the daughter of Ulysse Gruda, who played for the French men"s national basketball team, and grew up on Martinique.
She currently plays the center position for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Superleague. Gruda played the center position the French Olympic team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She played with the Connecticut Sun in the Women's National Basketball Association from to 2008 to 2010.
Before joining the Women's National Basketball Association, 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.
Gruda was drafted 13th overall in the 2007 Women's National Basketball Association 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 Women's National Basketball Association after a three-year absence, joining the Los Angeles Sparks as a backup center. She is currently playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia since the 2008-2009 European season.
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 She also took part in the World Championship 2006 and the EuroBasket 2007, reaching the quarter-finals both times.