Roman Modrowski of the Chicago Sun-Times reports: Trenton Hassell had one season of eligibility remaining at Austin Peay when he arrived for the NBA pre-draft camp last year at Moody Bible Institute, and Hassell knew nothing at the camp could have affected that eligibility.

This year is different. The NCAA is enforcing a rule for players who decide to return to school. They will be suspended for one game at the start of next season for every game they play at the camp, which opens tonight and usually entails three to four games per player.

''I still would have played in the camp,'' Hassell said. ''I would test the waters because your first two or three games in college are exhibition games anyway.''

At least six players have declined invitations because they don't want to jeopardize their eligibility. About 70 players will participate in the camp, which is not open to the public.

Part of Hassell's decision to commit to the draft was advice he received that he would be drafted between 15th and 20th, although the Bulls ended up taking him with the first pick of the second round.

''In many cases, kids get advice from people who have no ability to make those judgments,'' Bulls operations chief Jerry Krause said. ''Trenton didn't hurt himself during that camp. He helped himself. Some players have made a lot of money at this camp, like [Steven] Hunter.''

Hunter, who left DePaul after two lackluster seasons, was projected as a second-rounder until opening eyes at last year's camp. Orlando selected him 15th.

Players expected to be lottery selections don't participate in the camp because they fear their stock only can drop.

Bulls guard Jamal Crawford also made some money with his performance in the 2000 camp. A projected second-rounder, Crawford played his way into the lottery as the eighth pick.

''Even if I faced this new rule, I would have come to the [camp] because I was confident,'' Crawford said. ''And if you're not confident, you might as well stay in school.''