BOSTON – The last 25 years of America East men’s basketball has featured a multitude of enduring moments and some iconic college basketball players. To celebrate the league, the America East has put together its list of the top 25 players from the past 25 years.
 
Over the past 25 years eight different schools captured America East titles and earned bids to the NCAA Tournament. Vermont captured 11 championships over that span and finished as the runner-up on five other occasions. UAlbany was second with five titles over the past quarter century, while Boston University and UMBC each won a pair.
 
To be eligible for this list, players had to have played at least two seasons in the America East from 2000-01 to 2024-25 and earn All-Conference honors at least twice. Current players were not eligible for this list. Honorees are listed in Alphabetical order.
 

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Jose Juan (JJ) Barea, Northeastern (2003-05)

• One of the best scorers in league history, Barea only played three seasons in the America East before Northeastern left for the CAA, but over those 84 games he averaged 20.0 points, 5.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while connecting on 189 three-point attempts.
• A three-time all-conference selection and two-time first-team member, Barea averaged 22.2 points, 7.3 assist and 4.3 rebounds as a junior as Northeastern earned its first 20-win season in 12 years.
• Barea helped the Huskies go15-3 in league play and advance to the conference championship, where they fell to Vermont.

 

Marqus Blakely, Vermont (2007-10)

• One of the most prolific athletes in conference history, Blakely was a force on the court, averaging 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 blocks per game over 129 career games for the Catamounts.
• The three-time first-team all-conference selection was the Player of the Year in 2007-08 and 2008-09 while taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors in each of his final three seasons.
• He helped Vermont captured a pair of regular season titles and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2010 Championship in leading Vermont to an 83-70 win over Boston University.

 

Trae Bell-Haynes, Vermont (2015-18)

• An outstanding lead guard, Bell-Haynes led the Catamounts to regular season championships in each of his final two seasons while averaging 11.7 points, 3.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game over 139 career games with 132 starts.
• Bell-Haynes was a two-time Player of the Year and as a junior led Vermont to the first undefeated regular season the league had seen in 20 years, going 16-0 and outscoring opponents by 14 points per game.
• As a senior the Catamounts captured the regular season title again before falling to UMBC and losing in the opening round of the NIT.

 

Tommy Brenton, Stony Brook (2009-13)

• A force all over the court, Brenton helped led Stony Brook to 84 wins over four seasons while averaging 7.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game while starting 126 of 127 games.
• Brenton was a two-time first-team all-conference selection and the 2012-13 Player of the Year after leading Stony Brook to its third regular season title in the four seasons, going 14-2. He was also named 2013 Lefty Driesell Award as the National Defensive Player of the Year.
• The two-time Defensive Player of the Year helped the Seawolves go 25-8 his senior year, including a 71-58 win at UMass in the NIT where he posted a line of six points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals.

   
Chaz Carr, Boston University (2002-05)

• A guard who could get wherever he wanted on the court and anchored the league’s best scoring defense, Carr averaged 11.7 points, 2.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals while playing in 120 games at BU.
• Carr was a three-time all-conference performer and two-time first-team selection that led his team to four 20-win seasons and 85 total victories.
• He helped BU win the 2002 conference championship as well as claim three regular season titles and make four postseason appearances, including three in the NIT.

 

Taylor Coppenrath, Vermont (2002-05)

• The third leading scorer in conference history with 2,442 points, Coppenrath helped turn Vermont into the league’s dominant program, averaging 21.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while starting in all 114 games in which he appeared.
• Coppenrath is one of three players in league history to earn Player of the Year honors three straight seasons, while leading the program to its first-ever 20-win season and 89 total victories.
• He helped UVM capture the program’s first three conference titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005, along with an NCAA Tournament First Round victory over defending champion Syracuse.

 
Clarence Daniels, New Hampshire (2022-24)

• A double-double and scoring machine, Clarence Daniels averaged 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 37 percent from three in 61 games.
• Daniels was a two-time first-team all-conference selection and took home 2024 Player of the Year honors after averaging 19.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in league play.
• Daniels helped UNH advance to the conference semifinals and finish at least .500 each year along with 34 points and 14 rebounds in a win at Boston College in 2023.

   
Ryan Davis, Vermont (2019-22)

• A bench player for his first two seasons, Davis was shone in his final two years at UVM and finished his career averaging 11.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the floor.
• He earned Player of the Year honors as a junior and senior, averaging 17.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 59.1 percent from the floor and 43.4 percent from three in his last two seasons.
• Davis helped lead Vermont to four straight regular season championships and was a part of three conference championships, including a title and NCAA Tournament appearance and near upset of Arkansas as a senior.

   
Jay Greene, UMBC (2006-09)

• One of the most accomplished pure point guards in league history, Greene ranks third in America East history with 683 assists, while averaging 9.7 points, 5.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in 122 contests.
• Greene was a two-time all-conference performer and earned first-team all-conference honors in 2007-08 after leading the Retrievers to a 24-9 record, the best in program history at that time.
• He was also a three-time All-Championship team member and earned Most Outstanding Player honors after leading UMBC to its first title in 2008.

 
John Holland, Boston University (2008-11)

• The seventh leading scorer in league history, with 2,212 points, Holland averaged 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game with 255 threes in 129 career games.
• Holland was a four-time all-conference selection and three times named to the first-team, capped off by earning Player of the Year honors in 2010-11 when he averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
• In 2011 he led Boston University to its first league title in nine seasons, capturing Most Outstanding Player honors after putting up 27 points, including two free throws with one second left to secure the 56-54 win.

   
Peter Hooley, UAlbany (2012-16)

• The definition of a winning player, Hooley saved his best for the biggest moments and over 127 games at UAlbany he averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while making 181 threes.
• Hooley was a three-time all-conference performer who helped UAlbany capture three consecutive conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
• He was a two-time Most Outstanding Player, highlighted by his game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds of the 2015 Championship, which gave UAlbany a 51-50 victory.

   
Anthony Lamb, Vermont (2017-20)

• A dominant all-around performer, Lamb appeared in 118 contests over four seasons at UVM, averaging 16.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.
• He was three-time all-conference performance and named Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior as Vermont went 67-6 against league opponents during his career.
• Lamb led Vermont to four consecutive regular season crowns and was a two-time Most Outstanding Player as Vermont won tournament championships in 2017 and 2019.

 
Tanner Leissner, New Hampshire (2015-18)

• A fluid and dynamic scoring forward, Leissner turned New Hampshire into perennial contenders, averaging 16.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game over 122 career contests.
• The 2014-15 Rookie of the Year was a three-time first-team all-conference selection and earned second-team honors as a freshman as well.
• Leissner helped UNH win double-digit conference games in three of his four seasons and reach the conference semifinals three different seasons. The team’s 69 victories over his four years are most over any four-year period in UNH history.

   
Jairus Lyles, UMBC (2016-18)

• Lyles helped UMBC become a household name over his three seasons, averaging 20.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 86 contests.
• He was a three-time all-conference performer, securing first-team honors in 2017-18 and then Most Outstanding Player honors after drilling a three-point shot with just 0.6 second left to lift the team to a 65-62 win over top seed Vermont.
• Lyles then put UMBC on the map as the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, with 28 points in a 74-54 upset of No. 1 Virginia.

   
Daryl Proctor, UMBC (2008-09)

• A dominant force in just two seasons at UMBC, Proctor averaged 17.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 65 games as a Retriever.
• He was a two-time first-team all-conference selection and led the Retrievers to a 24-9 record, the best in program history at that time.
• Proctor was a two-time All-Championship Team selection that helped UMBC win the program’s first conference championship in 2008.

 
Sam Rowley, UAlbany (2012-15)

• A winning player during a dominant run for UAlbany, Rowley appeared in 127 games over four years, averaging 9.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
• He was a two-time all-conference selection, including a first-team choice and helped the Great Danes capture three straight conference titles from 2013-15.
• Rowley, one of just two players to earn All-Championship honors three times in the last 25 years, helped the program capture 86 victories, including a 15-1 conference mark and regular season title in 2014-15.

 
TJ Sorrentine, Vermont (2001-05)

• One of the elite shooters in league history, Sorrentine helped usher in a 21^st century of Vermont dominance, averaging 16.8 points, 4.6 assists 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 3pt field goals per game in 120 career starts and appearances.
• The first player in conference history to surpass 350 3pt field goals was a three-time first-team all-conference selection and earned Player of the Year honors as a sophomore in 2001-02.
• Vermont won three consecutive championships during his tenure, capped off by an overtime win against defending champion Syracuse in the NCAA First Round as he delivered one of the league's iconic moments in its history. He also finished that season with a league-record 116 threes.

 
Earl Timberlake, Bryant (2023-25)

• A dynamic do-everything guard, Timberlake got better every season at Bryant, finishing his three years averaging 14.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 54.4 percent in 91 contests.
• Timberlake was a three-time all-conference performer, two-time first-team selection and the 2024-25 Player of the Year after putting up 14.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.2 blocks per game in league play as Bryant ended Vermont’s streak of eight straight regular season crowns.
• He capped off his career by leading Bryant to the NCAA Tournament and its first America East title while earning Most Outstanding Player honors. The team’s 23 wins was the most in the school’s 20 years as a Division I program.

 
Jahad Thomas, UMass Lowell (2015-18)

• A powerhouse guard, Thomas brought stability and credibility to a new Division I program at UMass Lowell, averaging 17.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 109 career contests.
• He was a four-time all-conference honoree and twice was selected to the first team twice while finishing his career with over 1,800 points and 800 rebounds.
• As a senior, Thomas led the conference in scoring at 21.1 points per game while shooting 51.5 percent to go with 8.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

   
Mike Trimboli, Vermont (2005-09)

• An iron man who did everything on the court to put his teams to victory, Trimboli missed just one game and started 126 while averaging 15.9 points, 5.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals and made 230 3pt field goals.
• Just 1 of 14 players to be a 4-time all-conference selection, he earned first-team honors twice along with Rookie of the Year honor is 2005-06.
• Trimboli led Vermont to a pair of regular season titles and one championship game appearance during his four seasons.

 

Kellen Tynes, Maine (2023-25)

• One of the best defensive guards of the last quarter century, Tynes helped revive the Maine program as he put up 13.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.9 steals in 95 games over three seasons.
• Tynes is one of two players to be named Defensive Player of the Year three times and earned all-conference recognition in each of his three seasons, including two second team selections.
• In 2024-25 he led Maine to its first 20-win season and conference title game appearance in 21 seasons, highlighted by a 11 point, 13 rebound, three steal, three block performance against Vermont in the semifinals.

 
Brian Voelkel, Vermont (2011-14)

• One of the most unique players in league history, Voelkel ranks in the top five in league history in both rebounds (1,168) and assists (679), with career averages of 6.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.1 assist and 1.5 steals per game in 134 contests.
• He was a three-time all-conference performer, three-time all-defensive team member and the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year.
• Voelkel led UVM to a pair of regular season championships and in 2012 led the team to a tournament championship along with securing MOP honors and then a victory in the NCAA First Four contest.

 
Jameel Warney, Stony Brook (2013-16)

• One of the most dominant players in league history regardless of era, Warney ranks second in league history in rebounds (1,275) and is 9^th in scoring (2,132), averaging 15.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 59.6 percent.
• Warney was a four-time all-conference player and one of three players to earn Player of the Year honors three straight seasons. He was also a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and three-time all-defensive team honoree.
• He led Stony Brook to two regular season titles and as a senior put up 43 points and ten rebounds in the 2016 conference championship to lead Stony Brook to its first tournament title, 80-74 over Vermont.

 
Jamar Wilson, UAlbany (2003-07)

• A standout lead guard who ranks eighth in league history with 2,164 points, Wilson helped turn UAlbany into a dominant America East program as he averaged 18.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game over 120 career contests.
•  Wilson was a four-time all-conference performer and was named Player of the Year in each of his final two seasons while leading UAlbany to consecutive 20-win seasons.
• He propelled UAlbany to a 26-6 conference mark over his final two seasons, as well as a pair of conference championships while taking home Most Outstanding Player honors in both 2006 and 2007.

 
 
Joe Zeglinski, Hartford (07-11)

• The conference’s all-time leader in three-point field goals with 393, Zeglinski was a knockdown shooter as he averaged 14.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 threes, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 135 starts.
• Zeglinski was a three-time all-conference selection and one-time first-team honoree while finishing his career with 2,016 points to be one of 15 players in league history with 2,000 points.
• In 2007-08 he helped Hartford to its first second-place finish in league standings and led them all the way to the conference championship, earning All-Championship team honors in the process.

Visit our men's basketball page on YouTube to find past and present women's basketball highlights. The 2025-26 season gets underway with media day, hosted by The Field of 68 on YouTube and X from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The first games of the 2025-26 season take place on November 3.

ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference its social media channels, @AmericaEast.