Nobody is forcing these kids to go to college. If these wannabe pros want to get paid out of high school, thy can enter the free market. NBA doesn't want this to happen, NBA players union doesn't want it either. That's not an issue for college athletics. I think that colleges do a fantastic job of providing free scholarship and essentially an internship where these kids are given an opportunity to learn and train in their supposed trade which is basketball. These are NOT cattle, and I played college sports for a short while. 98% of college athletes play sports for the love of the game and to get an education. Just because some sports draw more money to the university than others shouldn't dictate that these athletes need pay for play. I think it is a horrible idea.
The kids that don't want college? Don't go... Figure out another way. Go to Europe, NBDL, junior college, etc. Truth is though that colleges provide what almost all of these kids need, which is basketball training, a free education, marketing and the like. Think that SJU didn't provide anything for Moe Harkless? Think again. The marketing Moe got for free was phenomenal. The improvement of Moe this year under the staff was remarkable. It gave him the improvement and exposure to possibly get drafted in the first round. Win-win for Moe and the University. Looks like the college internship provided a LOT for a kid like Moe Harkless. Had he tried his hand in the free market, I doubt he'd be in this position.