Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The University of Virginia has officially named Ryan Odom as its new head basketball coach, a move widely anticipated by those close to the program. Odom, who has deep ties to UVA basketball, previously led teams like UMBC, Utah State, and VCU to NCAA tournament appearances. “I think it’s a great choice,” said Dr. Bobby Chhabra, UVA’s orthopedic chair and athletics correspondent. “He understands UVA’s culture… and he runs a fast-paced offense, so it’s going to be very different than what we’ve seen the last 15 years.” 

With Odom’s arrival, UVA’s roster faces significant changes. Several key players, including standout guard Isaac McKneely, have entered the transfer portal, potentially seeking better NIL opportunities. “McKneely is going to get a ton of interest… Kentucky is interested in McNeely and, That’s close to home to him, and they’re going to pay him a lot of money. They have even more resources than UVA will have for basketball,” Chhabra noted. At the same time, Odom is expected to bring over players from VCU, signaling a major shift in team dynamics. 

The rapid turnover in college basketball due to NIL deals and the transfer portal raises concerns about student-athletes’ academic stability. “Education is taking the back seat in this NIL world,” Chhabra warned. “Kids are going to four different schools… their education becomes very fragmented at this point.” As UVA transitions to a new era under Odom, the challenge will be balancing competitiveness with continuity in an evolving college basketball landscape. 

Listen to the full conversation here: