University of New Hampshire Athletics
Clarence Daniels '24 and Tanner Leissner '18 Named to America East Top 25 in 25 Years
10/16/2025 4:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOSTON – Two University of New Hampshire basketball alums – Clarence Daniels '24 and Tanner Leissner '18 – were selected to the America East Men's Basketball Top 25 the Past 25 Years. The announcement was made Thursday by the conference.
To be eligible for this distinguished list, student-athletes must have played at least two seasons in the America East conference spanning the 2000-01 to 2024-25 seasons and earned All-Conference honors at least twice. Current players were not eligible.
Daniels was the Kevin Roberson America East Player of the Year in 2024 and was a two-time All-Conference First Team honoree (2023, 2024). The 6-foot-6 forward was also named the America East Player of the Week three times in his two years as a UNH Wildcat.
He scored 1,061 points and pulled down 617 rebounds in 61 games to average 17.4 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game as a Wildcat. Those numbers rank #4 on UNH's career rebounding leaderboard and #6 in scoring. Daniels' career highs include 36 points against Brown University in November 2023 and 18 rebounds at Columbia University in December 2022.
As a senior captain in 2024, Daniels ranked No. 6 in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.10 per game) and 26th in double-doubles with 14. He led America East in both rebounding (9.6 per game) and defensive rebounding as well as free throw percentage (.804), and he ranked second in scoring (19.4 points per game). Daniels was also second in free throws made (135) and third in field goals made (207).
Daniels led UNH in eight statistics: double-doubles, points (602), scoring, field goals made, free throws made rebounding, total rebounds (297) and defensive rebounds (251). Both his point and rebound totals rank sixth on New Hampshire's list of single-season superlatives.
In 2023, Daniels ranked No. 3 in the nation in defensive rebounds per game (8.23), No. 7 in rebounding (10.7 rebounds per game) and 16th in double-doubles (15). He also topped the conference leaderboard in rebounding (10.7 per game) and defensive rebounding (8.2 rpg) as a junior. In other stats, Daniels was third in offensive rebounding (2.4 per game), No. 4 in scoring (15.3 ppg) and free throws made (97), tied for fourth in both steals (1.3 per game) and field goals made (165), and was seventh in free throw percentage (.758).
Daniels topped UNH's leaderboard in 12 stats for the '23 season: double-doubles, points (459), scoring, field goal percentage (.440), field goals made (165), free throws made (97), rebounds (320), rebounding, offensive rebounds (73), defensive rebounds (247), blocks (17) and steals (38). The 320 rebounds is the fourth highest total in program history.
Leissner was a three-time team MVP and three-time America East All-Conference First Team selection, as well as conference Rookie of the Year and All-Academic Team honoree. He led the team in scoring all four years. In May 2018, he was awarded UNH's prestigious Jim Urquhart Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, which is bestowed annually to the senior who has excelled in athletics, academics and community service through the career.
Leissner is No. 1 in UNH men's basketball history in points (1,962), free throws made (521) and attempted (675), and minutes (4,095). He is also No. 2 in field goals made (667), No. 3 in rebounds (862), field goal attempts (1,467) and games played (121), as well as No. 10 in scoring average (16.2 ppg). Leissner is the only player in program history with 1,500+ points and 700+ rebounds.
In 121 games (119 starts), Leissner averaged 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds. He had 37 career 20+ point games, including five 30+ point efforts. Leissner also had 24 career double-digit rebounds games and 22 double-doubles. He helped lead UNH to its first 20-win season and back-to-back 20-win years, as well as a program-best 59 wins in any three-year span. The 'Cats won 10+ conference games in 3 of 4 seasons and advanced to the conference semifinals three times.
The 6-foot-7 forward has the program's top two single-season marks for free throws made (156 in 2017 and 153 in 2018). Leissner holds three of the top 15 single-season scoring marks in program history – No. 7 (581 points in 2018), No. 8 (547 in 2017) and No. 13 (477 in 2016). And on the minutes leaderboard, he holds both No. 3 (1,111) and No. 4 (1,102).
As a senior captain, Leissner was the only Wildcat to start all 31 games and he led New Hampshire in nine statistics, including scoring (18.7 ppg) and minutes per game (35.8). Leissner also ranked second in rebounding (6.9 rpg) and assists (2.0 apg). On the America East conference leaderboard, he ranked in the Top 10 in nine stats, including third in scoring and fifth in rebounding.
Leissner was UNH's top scorer in 23 of 31 games and the top rebounder six times. He scored 20+ points 12 times, including 32 against Dartmouth College, and had eight games with 10+ rebounds, including a career-high tying 15 at Holy Cross.
As a junior in 2017, his accolades included USBWA District 1 All-District Team, NABC District 1 Second Team. Leissner led the team and ranked fifth in America East in scoring (17.1 ppg), and he was second on the team and third in the conference in rebounding (6.9). He led the Wildcats in a total of six stats: points (547), scoring, field goals made (185), free throw percentage (.830), free throws made (156) and offensive rebounds (73).
As a sophomore in 2016, Leissner ranked first on the team and fourth in the conference in scoring (15.9 ppg), as well as second on the team and fourth in America East in rebounding (7.3). 6.9). He led the Wildcats in three stats: points (477), scoring and field goals made (170).
Leissner garnered five America East Rookie of the Week awards and four ECAC Rookie of the Week honors in 2015, when he garnered All-Conference Second Teams and All-Rookie Team accolades in addition to the aforementioned Rookie of the Year. Leissner led the team and ranked seventh in the conference in scoring (12.8), and he also led the team and finished fourth in rebounding (7.5).
Leissner scored a single-game high of 36 points vs. UMBC in January 2017 and pulled down a high of 15 rebounds in a game three times.
The 2025-26 UNH men's basketball team opens the season with Nov. 3 (7pm) at Clemson University. The Wildcats' home opener is Nov. 6 (6pm) against Curry College. Season tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now at unhwildcats.com/tickets.
Wildcat Madness (Oct. 29; 7:30pm) is the first chance for fans to see this year's men's and women's basketball teams with free attendance for everyone. There is a special launch of the Lundholm Loft (6-7pm) that requires a reservation – CLICK HERE to make a reservation for the Lundholm Loft exclusive event.
To be eligible for this distinguished list, student-athletes must have played at least two seasons in the America East conference spanning the 2000-01 to 2024-25 seasons and earned All-Conference honors at least twice. Current players were not eligible.
Daniels was the Kevin Roberson America East Player of the Year in 2024 and was a two-time All-Conference First Team honoree (2023, 2024). The 6-foot-6 forward was also named the America East Player of the Week three times in his two years as a UNH Wildcat.
He scored 1,061 points and pulled down 617 rebounds in 61 games to average 17.4 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game as a Wildcat. Those numbers rank #4 on UNH's career rebounding leaderboard and #6 in scoring. Daniels' career highs include 36 points against Brown University in November 2023 and 18 rebounds at Columbia University in December 2022.
As a senior captain in 2024, Daniels ranked No. 6 in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.10 per game) and 26th in double-doubles with 14. He led America East in both rebounding (9.6 per game) and defensive rebounding as well as free throw percentage (.804), and he ranked second in scoring (19.4 points per game). Daniels was also second in free throws made (135) and third in field goals made (207).
Daniels led UNH in eight statistics: double-doubles, points (602), scoring, field goals made, free throws made rebounding, total rebounds (297) and defensive rebounds (251). Both his point and rebound totals rank sixth on New Hampshire's list of single-season superlatives.
In 2023, Daniels ranked No. 3 in the nation in defensive rebounds per game (8.23), No. 7 in rebounding (10.7 rebounds per game) and 16th in double-doubles (15). He also topped the conference leaderboard in rebounding (10.7 per game) and defensive rebounding (8.2 rpg) as a junior. In other stats, Daniels was third in offensive rebounding (2.4 per game), No. 4 in scoring (15.3 ppg) and free throws made (97), tied for fourth in both steals (1.3 per game) and field goals made (165), and was seventh in free throw percentage (.758).
Daniels topped UNH's leaderboard in 12 stats for the '23 season: double-doubles, points (459), scoring, field goal percentage (.440), field goals made (165), free throws made (97), rebounds (320), rebounding, offensive rebounds (73), defensive rebounds (247), blocks (17) and steals (38). The 320 rebounds is the fourth highest total in program history.
Leissner was a three-time team MVP and three-time America East All-Conference First Team selection, as well as conference Rookie of the Year and All-Academic Team honoree. He led the team in scoring all four years. In May 2018, he was awarded UNH's prestigious Jim Urquhart Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, which is bestowed annually to the senior who has excelled in athletics, academics and community service through the career.
Leissner is No. 1 in UNH men's basketball history in points (1,962), free throws made (521) and attempted (675), and minutes (4,095). He is also No. 2 in field goals made (667), No. 3 in rebounds (862), field goal attempts (1,467) and games played (121), as well as No. 10 in scoring average (16.2 ppg). Leissner is the only player in program history with 1,500+ points and 700+ rebounds.
In 121 games (119 starts), Leissner averaged 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds. He had 37 career 20+ point games, including five 30+ point efforts. Leissner also had 24 career double-digit rebounds games and 22 double-doubles. He helped lead UNH to its first 20-win season and back-to-back 20-win years, as well as a program-best 59 wins in any three-year span. The 'Cats won 10+ conference games in 3 of 4 seasons and advanced to the conference semifinals three times.
The 6-foot-7 forward has the program's top two single-season marks for free throws made (156 in 2017 and 153 in 2018). Leissner holds three of the top 15 single-season scoring marks in program history – No. 7 (581 points in 2018), No. 8 (547 in 2017) and No. 13 (477 in 2016). And on the minutes leaderboard, he holds both No. 3 (1,111) and No. 4 (1,102).
As a senior captain, Leissner was the only Wildcat to start all 31 games and he led New Hampshire in nine statistics, including scoring (18.7 ppg) and minutes per game (35.8). Leissner also ranked second in rebounding (6.9 rpg) and assists (2.0 apg). On the America East conference leaderboard, he ranked in the Top 10 in nine stats, including third in scoring and fifth in rebounding.
Leissner was UNH's top scorer in 23 of 31 games and the top rebounder six times. He scored 20+ points 12 times, including 32 against Dartmouth College, and had eight games with 10+ rebounds, including a career-high tying 15 at Holy Cross.
As a junior in 2017, his accolades included USBWA District 1 All-District Team, NABC District 1 Second Team. Leissner led the team and ranked fifth in America East in scoring (17.1 ppg), and he was second on the team and third in the conference in rebounding (6.9). He led the Wildcats in a total of six stats: points (547), scoring, field goals made (185), free throw percentage (.830), free throws made (156) and offensive rebounds (73).
As a sophomore in 2016, Leissner ranked first on the team and fourth in the conference in scoring (15.9 ppg), as well as second on the team and fourth in America East in rebounding (7.3). 6.9). He led the Wildcats in three stats: points (477), scoring and field goals made (170).
Leissner garnered five America East Rookie of the Week awards and four ECAC Rookie of the Week honors in 2015, when he garnered All-Conference Second Teams and All-Rookie Team accolades in addition to the aforementioned Rookie of the Year. Leissner led the team and ranked seventh in the conference in scoring (12.8), and he also led the team and finished fourth in rebounding (7.5).
Leissner scored a single-game high of 36 points vs. UMBC in January 2017 and pulled down a high of 15 rebounds in a game three times.
The 2025-26 UNH men's basketball team opens the season with Nov. 3 (7pm) at Clemson University. The Wildcats' home opener is Nov. 6 (6pm) against Curry College. Season tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now at unhwildcats.com/tickets.
Wildcat Madness (Oct. 29; 7:30pm) is the first chance for fans to see this year's men's and women's basketball teams with free attendance for everyone. There is a special launch of the Lundholm Loft (6-7pm) that requires a reservation – CLICK HERE to make a reservation for the Lundholm Loft exclusive event.
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