She would obviously have liked to end up at the Olympic Games in France, but she was not selected for this last adventure. Sandrine Gruda therefore bowed out, at the age of 37, after a remarkable and brilliant career.
“I feel good when I think about my career. I am proud of myself, given where I come from, from Martinique,” he explained to the FIBA website. “I see all the sacrifices, I went abroad so young, without my family. I am happy with the friendships I have built over time.”
It is also the human aspect that she will remember the most. “A coach once told me that in basketball you don't remember the medals and trophies, you remember the relationships, the people. That's exactly it.”she says.
Among the “crème de la crème”
However, Sandrine Gruda also has a prestigious track record. The top scorer in the history of Les Bleues (2,878 points in 225 matches), she has won several medals with the French team: seven at Eurobasket (one gold, four silver, two bronze) and two at the Olympic Games (silver in 2012, bronze in 2021). As well as a WNBA title in 2016.
“I was so happy for that victory at Euro 2009. But also for the two Olympic medals in London and Tokyo. I think those three moments are the best for me.”
A true legend of French basketball, Sandrine Gruda is delighted to have “played with the cream of the crop”. “When I look at Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Cynthia Cooper, I didn’t think I would be part of that group, to be considered like them. I never imagined that. When I got to that level, I was really happy and proud. When I think back, it was really unique.”she concluded.
