Can non-college bound high school players get paid by sneaker companies?

[mwingate]

In light of recent events with the corruption scandal and players losing their college eligibility, a plausible scenario has popped up in my mind.

I realize that a high school player can't accept money from a high school. High schools have rules against recruiting. But what if a high school player decides he's not going to college and intends to go pro after high school, can he accept sneaker company money to wear their sneakers while still in high school?

If he can't, why not?

 

[mwingate]

What's in jeapardy for a H.S. player as far as going to college is the amateur status that's required to attend college on an athletic scholarship but if a player has no intent on going to college why does a high school player have to be an amateur.

Nowadays, high school players are mini-celebrities and featured in Slam magazine. Some high school players have mass social media presence and give out autographs to adoring and "impressionable" fans. If a kid is not going to college but has the skills to pay the bills and a sneaker company wants that kid to wear their sneakers, why couldn't he take that check if his parents are ok with it. The money could be placed in a trust until he's 18.

 

[Mtgbasketball]

Good question