You say that you'd only classify 6 as stars, but two of them, Bryant and James, are the games' best players in the world. I think that NBA franchises should be able to draft high-school players, just use caution. You may get a bust, but you also could get a Hall-of Famer.
Go Jazz

You're talking 6 stars and two of those being the best players in the NBA out of how many who have flopped? Another thing you fail to consider is what happens to those who bust? Believe it or not, the NBA did do an ethical thing here in trying to give them a year in college and a chance to recieve an education. These kids are one injury away, one wrong team with no chance to develope away from ending up on the streets. Think of the pressure that's on a player coming right out of high school. The expectations are rediculous. How long will 10 million dollars last an 18 year old?

What this also doesn't take into perspective is that if the player doesn't sign an agent and is either a 2nd rounder, or undrafted he could still follow through with his letter of intent. That would seem a great option for prep-to-proeers.

Cisse is still playing pro ball in Israel and doing OK. There are other basketball jobs on this planet besides the NBA. Assuming people go to work, first and foremost, to make a living, there is nothing wrong with making a million before you are 21. With that kind of money, you can pay your way into higher education without too many worries (it beats flipping hamburgers to pay for your tuition). I think that you really should reconsider your analysis.

1) The current rule that players have to go to college for one year is a joke. Though the NCAA tournament is still exciting, NCAA basketball is much lower in quality than in years past. Teams are filled with frosh and sophs and the best players jump to the NBA after one year. College coaches become like snakes in the grass recruiting players they know will never stay just to win games, some like Tim Floyd getting verbal commitments from 8th graders for that one promising year.

2) You go to college to learn many things and experience things. But the utilitarian purpose of college is to prepare you for the next economic step in life. As sociologist Harry Edwards said, "if a kid turns down millions of dollars in guaranteed money to stay in college, he's probably not smart enough to stay in college." Indeed, DeShawn Stevenson didn't become a marquee NBA player but he made plenty of money and if was smart with it he'll be set up for the rest of his life and he could probably go back and earn a degree.

3) If you're 18, you should be able to control your own economic destiny.