Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Dr. Bobby Chhabra joined WINA Morning News for a live discussion on sports and medicine, touching on the evolving landscape of college basketball and the challenges facing UVA’s program. He acknowledged the changes in the sport, particularly regarding player retention and the impact of the transfer portal. “The landscape of athletics, college athletics, not just basketball, has changed dramatically,” Chhabra said. “You have to have a coach who’s willing to play this game, willing to accept the transfer portal for what it is.” 

During the discussion, the future of Ron Sanchez as a coaching figure at UVA was debated, with Chhabra expressing both support and concerns. “Ron will play this game. He needs money… he needs a lot of support,” he stated, emphasizing the financial demands of competing at a high level. He highlighted the necessity of securing funding to attract top-tier players but also noted that those same players may leave after just a season. 

Despite these challenges, Chhabra praised the team’s resilience throughout the season, pointing to key wins as signs of growth. “This team has changed,” he said. “They didn’t give up from some really tough losses earlier in the year.” With the ACC facing a down year, Chhabra acknowledged that decision-making now lies with the search committee as they determine the best path forward for the program.  

Listen here for the full conversation: