UNC Just Made The Late Backcourt Move Fans Were Waiting On

UNC basketball secures veteran guard Angelo Brizzi, adding crucial backcourt depth and finalizing the roster as the Michael Malone era begins.

North Carolina appears to have its last piece in place.

With a roster spot available, Michael Malone and the Tar Heels had been searching for backcourt help, and they’ve now landed a veteran guard in Angelo Brizzi. That move likely closes the book on UNC’s 2026-2027 roster, the first group for Malone in Chapel Hill.

Brizzi, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard, brings a lot of mileage with him. He began at Villanova, where he played in 9 games as a redshirt freshman, then moved on to Davidson before spending last season at Buffalo.

At Buffalo, Brizzi became a full-time starter and put together a productive year, averaging 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He also earned a reputation as a dangerous shooter, knocking down 37.2% of his attempts from three-point range.

That shooting is a big part of what makes the fit work. Brizzi doesn’t project as a player who will need starter-level minutes, but he should give Malone a dependable option off the bench when the Tar Heels need steady production. The three-point touch could end up being the thing that determines just how much he sees the floor.

The addition also gives UNC more breathing room with Isaiah Denis, who the Tar Heels are high on heading into his sophomore season. Brizzi can help ease that burden as Denis works his way into the rotation, and both players could have chances to carve out minutes depending on how practice battles unfold.

There’s also a familiar feel to this kind of pickup. Brizzi brings the sort of steady, ready-for-anything value that UNC has gotten from players like Stilman White in the past. Depth matters, and this move gives the Tar Heels another experienced piece who can help in practice and contribute when called upon.

For now, the roster looks finished. The next question is how it all comes together, and what kind of role Angelo Brizzi settles into in what will be his final season of college basketball.

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