The NCAA needs to tweak another archaic rule that could prevent four high school seniors in this year's NBA draft from getting a true read on their draft status.

The NCAA took a good first step this year in changing the rule for four-year Division I players when it comes to attending the Chicago pre-draft camp June 3-7. College underclassmen who are invited to the camp will have their expenses paid by the NBA and play in the games without a penalty if they return to college.

Remember, last year if a player went to Chicago and played, he had to reimburse the NBA and sit out the number of games played if he returned to school. Memphis' Chris Massie had to do just that after declaring for the 2002 draft, playing two games in Chicago, then returning to Memphis. Massie, who wasn't eligible for the first semester due to academics, sat out the first two games he was eligible became of the two games he played at the Moody Bible Institute last June.

But the rule is different for high school seniors. And, at issue is NCAA bylaw 12.2.1.1, which is called "Tryout before Enrollment."

The bylaw states: "A student-athlete remains eligible in a sport even though, prior to enrollment in a collegiate institution, the student-athlete may have tried out with a professional athletics team in a sport or received not more than one expense-paid visit from each professional team (or a combine including that team); provided such a visit did not exceed 48 hours and any payment or compensation in connection with the visit was not in excess of actual and necessary expenses. A self-financed tryout may be for any length of time."

What that all means in simple terms is high school players can go to Chicago for the first two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) for free, but if they stay (Thursday, Friday and for Saturday's physicals) then they would have to pay for the rest of the time in Chicago if they decided to return to college. They wouldn't pay in advance, but upon deciding to go to school. The deadline to withdraw from the draft is June 19. The draft is June 26.

This rule is in part why Travis Outlaw (signed with Mississippi State), Kendrick Perkins (Memphis), Ndudi Ebi (Arizona) and Charlie Villanueva (deciding between Connecticut and Kansas if he goes to school) might not get a true read on their draft status. High school seniors LeBron James (No. 1 pick to Cleveland) and James Lang of Alabama aren't going to college.

All six players were invited to the Chicago pre-draft camp. James won't play (no overall No. 1 picks do) nor arrive for the physicals until Saturday night because of his St. Vincent-St. Mary High graduation festivities. Lang, a likely second-round pick, told the NBA that he would attend.

But the NBA is still waiting to hear from the other four. Each can go work out for teams individually, but would have to reimburse the teams for the trips. But that could be dicey financially. They could set up a workout in their respective hometowns and have teams come watch them play. The NCAA's Steve Mallonee said the organization has no jurisdiction over players working out for pro teams if they're not incurring expenses.

Whether or not the high school players show up in Chicago is up to them. "We'll do as much as we can to evaluate them," said the NBA's Stu Jackson. "We'll keep them as long as they want to if they come. We would invite them to stay the whole time, but if they want to leave after 48 hours that's fine too."

More high school players declared for the draft this season because of a change in the rule last year. High school players are allowed to declare for the draft for the first time without immediately losing their eligibility. They can also go back to college, even if they get drafted, unlike NCAA underclassmen. The catch, however, is if they're drafted then the NBA team has their rights at the 2003 salary slots for up until a year after their college eligibility expires.

Mallonee said the 48-hour rule doesn't make a lot of sense, considering NCAA athletes can have their expenses paid the whole time while the high school seniors can only have a 48-hour free period. "It's an old rule that has been there forever," Mallonee said. "It might be something the association has to address."

Arizona's staff was planning on going to watch Ebi workout in Chicago, but now is holding out hope he might not go to the camp. If he doesn't attend, he could withdraw from the draft. Ebi might not be able to get a real read on his draft status. He could end up somewhere in the top 15 picks or slide to the second round.

Perkins, Outlaw and Villanueva are more likely late first- to early second-round picks. Memphis and Mississippi State will have to sweat out the June 19 deadline. Kansas and Connecticut are looking at Villanueva being gravy to their recruiting classes if he decides to attend.

Regardless, NCAA bylaw 12.2.1.1 is another stumbling block players have to getting the best information on their draft status.

What else we're hearing

At California ... The Bears would love to get a game in New York next year, either in the Coaches vs. Cancer event or the Jimmy V tournament. The Bears want to improve their profile as a national school. Cal hasn't been too high on the Pac-10 pecking order for the made-for-TV events, falling behind Arizona, UCLA, Stanford and Oregon.

Off the Larry Eustachy firing at Iowa State ... This ultimately helped a number of coaches indirectly. Fresno State's Ray Lopes got a new deal just for having his name listed as a candidate. Creighton's Dana Altman had a 10-year deal waiting for him after his phone interview with the Cyclones. Wyoming's Steve McClain and Chattanooga's Jeff Lebo might get favorable treatment in their next contract talks after showing loyalty to their schools and withdrawing from the job search. Iowa State eventually hired assistant Wayne Morgan.

At Missouri ... The Tigers looked like they were headed for a brutal offseason after violations were alleged in Jason Conley's transfer from VMI. But the reported excessive phone calls aren't going to hinder Conley's on-time eligibility in December. Add to that Arthur Johnson and Ricky Paulding deciding against declaring for the draft, and Quin Snyder's inclusion on Izzo's U.S. Pan American Games staff, and the Tigers ended up with a somewhat positive spring.

At Wagner ... That's right, Wagner. Dereck Whittenburg's old job could end up going to former Siena, Marquette and Lamar coach Mike Deane.

At Fullerton ... Don't be surprised to hear another veteran name -- like Deane at Wagner -- with UC Riverside athletic director and former USC and San Jose State coach Stan Morrison.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. His Weekly Word on college basketball is updated Fridays throughout the year.