With one roster spot still available, the focus for Michael Malone and the Tar Heels centered on adding reliable backcourt depth.
That task is far from simple. When a guaranteed role isn’t part of the equation, it takes a specific type of player — someone with experience, patience, and a team-first mindset — to embrace limited minutes while still being ready to contribute whenever called upon. North Carolina explored multiple transfer options, including Wei Lin and Angelo Brizzi, before ultimately landing on their answer.
The 2026–27 roster for the UNC basketball program now appears complete, as Angelo Brizzi has committed to play for Michael Malone in his first season leading the Tar Heels.
Brizzi is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard with a well-traveled college journey. He began his career at Villanova, appearing in nine games as a redshirt freshman, then transferred to Davidson before spending last season at Buffalo.
With the Bulls, Brizzi emerged as a full-time starter, averaging 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He built his reputation as a high-level shooter, coming off a season in which he connected on 37.2 percent of his attempts from three-point range.
Although Brizzi isn’t expected to log starter-level minutes at North Carolina, he profiles as a dependable bench option Malone can trust for quality production. His shooting ability, in particular, could play a major role in determining how often he sees the floor during the upcoming season.
Another key benefit of this addition is the flexibility it provides in developing Isaiah Denis. The Tar Heels are very high on Denis heading into his sophomore year, and Brizzi’s presence allows the staff to ease Denis into the rotation without rushing his progress. Depending on how practice competition unfolds, there should be opportunities for both guards to earn meaningful minutes.
It’s difficult not to compare this move to the type of value a player like Stilman White once brought to the program — steady, reliable, and always prepared. Depth is never a weakness, and strong internal competition only strengthens the roster, both in practice and during the grind of the season.
All signs point to the 2026–27 roster — the first of the Michael Malone era — now being finalized. The final piece is seeing how everything fits together and what role Angelo Brizzi ultimately claims in what will be his final season of college basketball.
The takeaway is simple: North Carolina identified a need for added backcourt depth and acted decisively to fill it.