Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – In the rapidly changing world of college athletics, Dr. Bobby Chhabra, athletics correspondent and sports medicine analyst, shared his insights on the intersection of mental health, performance, and the influence of NIL deals.

Dr. Chhabra highlighted the pressures faced by student-athletes. Reflecting on Virginia basketball’s recent struggles, he noted: “Coach Sanchez is trying to figure out the best lineup and trying to figure out how players can play well together, who have had very little experience playing together.”

He suggested this challenge is amplified by the evolving landscape of NIL agreements. Student-athletes now find themselves navigating a professional-like environment, which brings heightened expectations.

“I think NIL payments…make it more challenging for them to perform because they are under more stress, and people know and fans know they’re getting NIL money and if they’re not performing, it just creates an even more stressful environment.”

Dr. Chhabra also pointed to the ripple effects on mental health. As young athletes navigate the dual pressures of monetary compensation and public scrutiny, the consequences can be profound. He cautioned that this shift might lead to unintended long-term effects on their psychological well-being, stating: “I really don’t think we will fully understand what the stress and mental anguish some of these players will go through who are not performing well.”

Listen here for the full conversation: