The last piece of the puzzle (unless you include the wait for second-year forward Amber Holt to recover from the hand injury she suffered in the preseason) for the Connecticut Sun has arrived.

Sandrine Gruda, a gifted 6-foot-4 forward, joined the Sun on its midwest road trip and will play in Sunday's game at Detroit. Connecticut waived rookie forward/center Lauren Ervin to stay at the WNBA maximum 11-player limit.

Gruda averaged 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and tied for the team lead with 26 blocks in 31 games last season. Her arrival was delayed as she led France to the Eurobasket championship and was given permission to take some time to visit her family before joining the Sun.

Gruda had an outstanding performance at the Eurobasket championship and was one of the leading candidates for the tournament's MVP honor which went to former Connecticut Sun guard Evanthia Maltsi. She joins a Connecticut team which ranks last in field-goal percentage, 11th in scoring offense and 10th in rebounding margin.

Not only is Gruda further along as a player than she was a year ago but watching an interview (in English) of Gruda after the Eurobasket semifinals, I barely recognized Gruda's confident, easy-going persona. It was a stark contrast to the shy, reserved way she carried herself around the media with the Sun.

I spoke recently to Asjha Jones, a teammate of Gruda's on the UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia) squad and Connecticut coach Mike Thibault about how much she has matured in the last year.

"There is a lot of growth," Jones said. "Last year was her first year in America and she is a young player, she didn't go to college and didn't have that experience that we all had. I thiink she tries to treat it as a learning experience and grow every year."

Jones credits the work of Los Angeles Sparks assistant coach Marianne Stanley, who was an assistant for UMMC Ekaterinburg, for helping Gruda grow as a player on the court to the point where she is considered to be one of Europe's top players.

"She came here (last season) as kind of the young kid on the team and for the (French) team she has become a leader and expected to be a leader. I think it will change her demeanor towards how she plays in the league."

Led by 17 points from UConn rising senior Tina Charles, the U.S. defeated host Serbia 84-50 to wrap up the Group A title with a 3-0 record at the World University Games.

Danielle McCray of Kansas and Georgia's Ashley Houts added 12 points each and California's Alexis Gray-Lawson added 10 points and four steals for the U.S. UConn's Tiffany Hayes added six points, three rebounds and five assists for the U.S., which now heads into the second stage of round robin play in Group E along with Great Britain, Czech Republic and Poland. The United States will be given credit for its previous win against Great Britain. After a day off tomorrow, the U.S. will face Poland on Sunday and the Czech Republic on Monday. The top two teams in each of the four groups advance into the championship bracket with the third and fourth-place teams relegated to the consolation bracket.

UConn's Maya Moore missed her third straight game with a sore knee. I reached out to USA Basketball and the early word confirmed early reports that the move was simply a precautionary one. When or if further details become available, I will pass them on but it should be noted that after every game I have seen Maya play, she was worn ice packs on both knees. As I mentioned in an earlier entry, there's no way they are going to risk Maya's health even if it means holding out the team's best player.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that former Cheshire Academy star Johannah Leedham was the tournament's leading scorer through two games, averaging 22 points a game for Great Britain. Some day somebody can explain to me how it is she ended up playing at Franklin Pierce and not for a Big East team or one of the other Division I teams in the state. Something tells me she would be an All-Big East candidate if she went to Seton Hall, Providence or other teams who would use a versatile 5-foot-11 offensive dynamo. It should be noted that Leedham had 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals (as well as seven turnovers) while her sister and Jennifer (who also went from Cheshire Academy to Franklin Pierce) had eight points and four steals in a loss to the U.S. so it's not like they are padding their stats against inferior competition. Unfortunately, the stats are not available for the other games on Friday other than the U.S. so I can't update how the Leedhams did in Great Britain's 80-56 win over France. Johannah Leedham, the 2008 WBCA Division II national player of the year, has one year remaining with the Ravens while Jennifer will stay with the program as an assistant coach after graduating. Personally, if UConn schedules a Division II opponent in the preseason for the third straight season, let's hope it is Franklin Pierce.

With the news that former UConn star and perennial WNBA All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury Diana Taurasi was pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol the question is what's next for one of the game's most well-known players.

Let's start with this, Taurasi has not been convicted of a crime and the ramifications of the citation she received for suspicion of DUI won't be known until the results of her blood test come in.

The Mercury addressed the story by stating that they are aware of Taurasi's situation. Taurasi was quoted in a Phoenix publication but said very little other than the standard public relations spiel I sure she was instructed to repeat.

I reached out to a Connecticut lawyer who has handled DUI cases in the past to try to get an idea of the time frame of getting blood tests back and he said in Connecticut it is a very long, drawn out process. He also questioned the fact that Taurasi refused to take a breath, opting for a blood test instead stating that would be up to the discretion of the arresting officer. Now it is possible Taurasi, who was said to have been cooperative during her arrest, requested a blood test rather than a breath test. In Connecticut, refusal to take the breath test results in automatic suspension of your license. A report shows that to also be the case in Arizona so if Taurasi is said to have refused to take the breath test, she will be without a license regardless of the outcome of her court case.

Arizona is notorious for its strict DUI laws. so it figures to be a rough road for her if she is shown to have been over the legal limit.

Something tells me that Taurasi, always a popular interview with the Connecticut media, will receive even more attention when she comes to town for the WNBA All-Star game which is being held on July 25 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

On a brighter note for Taurasi, her powerhouse Spartak Moscow Region team just got stronger with the news that Anete Jekabsone-Zogota, who played in her first game with the Connecticut Sun on Friday, will join the squad already featuring Taurasi, Bird, Lauren Jackson and Sylvia Fowles. Jekabsone-Zogota had been playing for Moscow Dynamo since 2006.

Having this week off, I haven't exactly been in a blogging state of mind. I think I have been too busy pondering the impending farewell of my trusty old couch which will leave on the back of the (shameless plug alert) Pilgrim Furniture truck in the morning. I'm not saying my couch is old, but it's very likely Geno Auriemma was still an assistant at Virginia when it first made its way to my former apartment.

Since I assume you don't read this blog for couch updates (for those who do, you can't say I don't offer a bit of versatility), I will get down to the matter at hand.

UConn teammates Tina Charles (18 points, six rebounds in 15 minutes) and Tiffany Hayes (15 points, five steals in 22 minutes) as the U.S. opened play in the World University Games with an 115-30 win (sounds like a score of a few UConn games). Maya Moore did not play because of soreness in her knee. I haven't heard any further updates on Maya but I wouldn't try to panic about that. USA Basketball does everything first-class and the medical personnel on the trip with the team are among the best in the business. They will not do anything to jeapordize Maya's health. I would expect more on the subject in the coming days. The U.S. plays Great Britain on Thursday with the winner taking over sole possession of first place in Group A.

Now here's a little update on a former teammate of Moore, Charles and Hayes. Renee Montgomery is holding her first Renee Montgomery Basketball Camp in South Charleston, W. Va. on July 25 (that happens to be the same day as the WNBA All-Star game so I guess she didn't think she would be selected to play when she started planning the event). Among those scheduled to be on hand are her former UConn teammates Kaili McLaren and Kalana Greene.

Speaking of ex-Huskies, four of them are in action tonight as Seattle (featuring Sue Bird and Swin Cash) meet Diana Taurasi, Ketia Swanier and the rest of the Phoenix Mercury. The game is nearing the end of the first quarter. Cash has seven points and Bird five as Seattle leads 21-19. Swanier has two points and Taurasi one for Phoenix.

Last but certainly not least, congratulations to former UConn star Jennifer Rizzotti for being elected to the Jackie Robinson Professional Wing of the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame. She will be inducted in a ceremony on Oct. 19 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich.

With Anete Jekabsone-Zogota, the 2007 FIBA Europe Player of the Year, taking part in her first practice with the Connecticut Sun on Sunday one player had to let go.

Former UConn star Barbara Turner, who at this point last year was being touted as a candidate for the WNBA's Sixth Player of the Year award, got the bad news that her run with team was over.

Turner was acquired in a trade with the Houston Comets last season and provided a spark off the bench. She worked hard on improving her perimeter game, spending time working with former NBA guard John Lucas the last two years. However, she never could get going offensively this season and even more damaging to Turner's chances of staying with the squad, she began to hesitate when given an open look. With the addition of Kiesha Brown, who can also play point guard, and Tan White, who were both picked up off waivers, something had to give. Although Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault loves Turner's toughness, the fact is that with shortened rosters in the WNBA, he could not afford to keep a reserve wing reluctant to shoot.

The Sun are not done adjusting its roster. With Sandrine Gruda expected to join the team later this week in Indiana, another player will need to be let go.

If the Sun let go rookie Lauren Ervin as expected, the roster will be rather imposing with Jekabsone-Zogota and Gruda joining starters Asjha Jones, Lindsay Whalen, Erin Phillips, Kerri Gardin and Chante Black (who may be back in time for Thursday's game at Indiana). Add in veteran Tamika Whitmore, Amber Holt (expected back at some point in July after suffering a hand injury in the preseason), Brown and White and the Sun have a roster capable of securing the franchise's elusive first WNBA title.

At some point in the next five, one member of the Connecticut Sun will be let go as Anete Jekabsone-Zogota will be activated.

Maybe I was imagining things, but I could have sworn that former UConn star Barbara Turner received louder cheers last night than at any other game I have been at. Perhaps the Sun faithful realize that it could be Turner's swan song? Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault, who handles all the player personnel decisions, wasn't about to spill the beans if he has already made his decision.

It is not a moment Thibault is looking forward to. Making matters worse for Thibault, a second player will need to be let go when Sandrine Gruda joins the team when they are in Indiana later this week.

Here are the options listed alphabetically:
Kiesha Brown: The guard was picked up in the preseason after she was waived by Washington and has made an impact both on the court and in the locker room. She gives the Sun another point guard which enables Thibault to rest both Lindsay Whalen and Erin Phillips and utilize Phillips more at the off guard. Brown is also emerging as a team leader in the short time she has been in Connecticut. I'd be surprised if she was let go.
Lauren Ervin: Showed some range on her jumper last night but with Chante Black possibly back for the Thursday game at Indiana and Gruda also coming in, Ervin like a likely choice to be cut although she may be the second one waived just in case Gruda and Black aren't available.
Barbara Turner: Turner was acquired last year to give the Sun some instant offense off the bench. However, Turner has become a shooter who either is reluctant to shoot or can't find the range. That's a tough combination. Turner is shooting 20.9 percent from the field and is 4 for 25 from 3-pointer range (16 percent). Ouch. Thibault loves her toughness. Turner was the first sub he summoned last night when Kerri Gardin was struggling to guard Chamique Holdsclaw and Turner's physical play seemed to bother Holdsclaw.
Tan White: Another veteran picks up off the waiver wire, White is a gifted offensive player who trails only Asjha Jones in shots per 40 minutes which is just fine by Thibault. She understands her role and has added a spark off the bench since she joined the Sun.
Tamika Whitmore: The longest of the long shots to be let go. Whitmore has struggled at times offensively this season but she is fourth on the team in minutes played. She just offers too much in the leadership department and getting caught short with post players is never a good thing so expect her to stick around.

We should know in a few hours but I believe Turner will be the first cut and Ervin will be the second to go. Then again, I thought second-round pick Lyndra Littles was going to make the team out of training camp.

One last thought - Latvia certainly takes its basketball seriously. There was a member of the media from Latvia at Mohegan Sun Arena awaiting Jekabsone-Zogota's arrival. She was supposed to be touching down in New York around the time the Sun's game was wrapping up. With the Sun expected to take the floor at about 3, look for the move to be announced before that since the team will need to stay at the 11-player limit.