Add Heldring to the list of 2010 standouts

New Trier sophomore Fred Heldring (right) has positioned himself as one of the top players in the state's vaunted class of 2010.
(Joel Lerner/Pioneer Press)

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This past weekend at the King James Classic in Akron, Ohio,the national recruiting gurus were finally getting around to the six-month old news that Rich South’s Crandall Head is an elite player in the national class of 2010.

Meanwhile, recruiting analyst Roy Schmidt reports that 6-10 New Trier sophomore Fred Heldring has improved tremendously and could eventually pop into the national rankings himself.

“For me, he was the real news of the weekend,” Schmidt said. “He’s improving immensely. He will ultimately be a high major recruit. He’s got outstanding mobility and aggressiveness around the basket, as well as the ability to step outside and hit midrange jumpers.”

According to Schmidt, Heldring is one of Northwestern’s top priorities. He’s also receiving interest from a host of local schools, including Illinois State, DePaul, Illinois, Loyola and Toledo.

Heldring’s emergence strengthens the already incredible 2010 class. According to Schmidt, both Head and Waukegan’s Jereme Richmond are likely to wind up in the national top ten when rankings are released this summer, which is a first for the state of Illinois. Not even the 1998 class, with Frank Williams, Corey Mageette, Quentin Richardson and Bobby Simmons could boast two top ten players.

“It’s the next great class in state history, there is no doubt about that,” Schmidt said. “There is depth at every position.”

Illinois fans will be please to hear that Richmond’s recent stints of disgruntled on-court demeanor seem to have passed.

“Richmond carried himself very well,” Schmidt said. “He's a totally different player in the AAU setting as opposed to the high school setting. At this point I'm not sure why that is.”

Schmidt cited Seton guard Tony Nixon, St. Rita guard Terry Johnson and Neuqua Valley forward Dwayne Evans as hidden gems that stepped up in Akron.

“I think Nixon projects as a quality Division 1 shooting guard, he has great size and range,” Schmidt said. “Evans undoubtedly passes the look test. He’s athletic and strong, a very good finisher.”