Did you know that in 2003 after being declared ineligible by the NCAA due to his intent to professionalize after signing with a Russian pro team and being given temporary room and board but never collecting a salary or appearing in a game for them, Uche Okafor upon leaving MU was flown to Shanghai for a secret tryout. He was to potentially replace the Shanghai Shark's center that was being courted for the NBA draft, a young Yao Ming.
But he never showed up for the tryout.
https://www.si.com/vault/2003/01/27/336498/the-man-who-would-be-ming-while-yao-ming-dazzles-us-fans-his-replacement-in-shanghai-dan-mcclintock-struggles-to-fill-the-biggest-shoes-in-china