Michigan hoops targets Angelo Brizzi, Peyton Watson pick Villanova, UCLA

A pair of 2021 recruiting targets are off the board for Michigan.

Angelo Brizzi, a point guard from Warrenton, Virginia, and Peyton Watson, a wing from Long Beach, California, announced their college decisions on Monday night and opted to stay closer to home, with Brizzi committing to Villanova and Watson picking UCLA.

Brizzi cut down his recruitment to eight schools on July 14, a list that included Michigan, Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Dartmouth, Davidson and Northwestern.

“I felt Villanova was the best situation for me and they recruited me harder than all the other schools and made me feel needed,” Brizzi told Rivals. “Their recent success with developing players, especially point guards, and helping them have great careers and placing them at the next level really stood out.”

Watson, who made his commitment to the Bruins live on Fox Sports, didn’t unveil a group of finalists like Brizzi. While Michigan was considered a contender, it faced an uphill battle against West Coast programs like Arizona, Oregon and Washington.

But none could stack up to UCLA. Watson said he grew up in a “UCLA family” and he watched the Bruins play throughout his childhood.

“It checked all the boxes,” Watson said. “I always knew growing up that if I had a chance to go UCLA it'd be something that I'd really have to consider. To be in that position and be blessed enough to actually attend the university is super mind-blowing to me.”

Brizzi reported an offer from the Wolverines on May 8 and Watson received one on May 19.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds, Brizzi is rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports and a four-star prospect by Rivals. He’s also ranked the No. 118 overall recruit in the nation and No. 20 point guard in the 2021 class, according to the 247Sports composite.  

Watson (6-7, 180 pounds) is a five-star recruit who is ranked the No. 17 recruit and top prospect in the state of California, per the 247Sports composite.

Michigan has three commits in its 2021 recruiting class — four-star guard Kobe Bufkin, four-star wing Isaiah Barnes and three-star forward Will Tschetter — and has addressed some of its perimeter needs. The Wolverines could still be looking to add a lead ball-handling guard and big man into the mix.

Michigan has at least two scholarships remaining for the 2021-22 season and is involved with numerous top-75 recruits, including five-star guards Jaden Hardy and Jalen Warley; five-star wings Harrison Ingram and Trevor Keels; five-star big men Chet Holmgren, Charles Bediako and Efton Reid; and four-star guards Frankie Collins and Jaden Akins (Farmington).

jhawkins@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @jamesbhawkins