Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – UVA Orthopedics Chair and sports medicine specialist Dr. Bobby Chhabra joined Morning News to address the sweeping changes in Virginia men’s basketball, following the transition from Tony Bennett to new head coach Ryan Odom. Dr. Chhabra emphasized Odom’s assertive efforts to build his own team and staff. “Odom is trying to…build his program,” Chhabra said. “He’s brought in all his own coaches…he’s bringing in the players that he wants.” With nearly the entire roster entering the transfer portal and only one scholarship player remaining, Chhabra acknowledged the difficulty for fans loyal to the Bennett era. 

The discussion shifted to the broader impact of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals on college basketball. Dr. Chhabra expressed concern over the academic consequences, noting that some players now attend three to four schools over their college careers. “Education is not the priority or the focus in any way. I think it’s in the back seat right now.” He added that the system seems unsustainable, especially with over 1,600 Division I players currently in the transfer portal. 

When asked about solutions, Chhabra advocated for stricter rules on transferring. “I think there should be no more than two schools, and you have to sit out a year if you decide to transfer,” he suggested. He believes reintroducing a mandatory sit-out period could restore some academic focus without eliminating NIL benefits. As the landscape of college athletics continues to shift, voices like Chhabra’s are calling for balance between opportunity and integrity. 

Listen to the full conversation here: