AHMEDABAD (India) - Lebanon fell short in their FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 debut against Bahrain but provided one of the tournament's best moments right on the first day of competitions, courtesy of Charbel El Herera.
Already a head-turner with his blonde streaks, the youngster pulled off the ultimate trick shot when his supposed baseline inbound intended for a running Robert Rizk, Jr. on the other end went through the rim instead.
Of course, it wasn't counted. But it cannot be denied how impressive that was, that all of the young Cedars - and the entire Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium - were left in total awe of what they had just witnessed.
"Honestly, I was really surprised," said El Herera a day after the 74-68 loss. "I was just trying to make the inbound pass and somehow it went in. At first I didn’t even realize it had gone in, and then everyone started reacting."
"It was a funny moment," he added about the 'shot' which happened with 1.1 seconds left in the second period. "And I’m happy we got a little bit of excitement from it, even though the result wasn’t what we wanted."
El Herera, though, did not only create a trending topic across social media.
He had written himself in the record books on the same night by registering a triple-double of 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, while also collecting a steal and a block each for an efficiency of 26.
According to available records, he's now become the third player since 2018 to tally such a statistical feat in the U18 Asia Cup, joining eventual star Flynn Cameron of New Zealand and Lee Chae-young of Korea.
Cameron made one to lead his Junior Tall Blacks past China, 87-82, in the 2018 Semi-Finals in Thailand, producing 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists as he sure did make the most of his 37 minutes on the court.
Lee followed suit during the 2022 festivities in Iran, chalking up 13 points, 10 assists, and 10 steals in their 100-63 rout of India in the Group Phase. He'd go on to earn All-Star Five honors after helping his team snag the gold.
"Honestly, I’m really honored," said El Herera. "I didn’t really think about making history during the game. I was just trying to help my team in every way I could, whether that was scoring, rebounding, or making plays."
"To find out that I’m only the third player [since 2018] to do it is a really special feeling, and I’m grateful for it," added the 1.86 M (6'1") guard, who also knocked down a pair of triples and went 4-of-5 from the stripe.
Making it all the more impressive is that he's done so while being one of the ongoing contest's younger players, having turned 16 just last June 2, which shall make him eligible for another U18 Asia Cup in 2028.
"It means a lot to me," he said when asked about competing in a stage like this at his age. "I’m still young, so playing against older and more experienced players is a great opportunity for me to learn and improve."
"I’m just trying to take in everything, compete as hard as I can, and represent Lebanon the best way I can," added El Herera, who was part of the Lebanon team that played in last year's FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Mongolia.
He's actually been playing for the country since 2023 and just like his peers, El Herera would love to have the opportunity to play for the senior team in the future just like his hero in Wael Arakji.
"I really look up to our FIBA Asia Cup MVP in Wael Arakji and I wish him a speedy recovery. He’s someone who has represented Lebanon at a very high level, and I really admire his mentality and the way he competes," he said.
"Seeing Lebanese players succeed motivates me to work harder, and hopefully represent my country at the highest level one day," continued El Herera, who's been suiting up for Champs SC back home.
With the way he impressed on Thursday by entering rarified air, and given his service thus far for the Cedars' youth program, there should be no doubt that he'd eventually be given the chance to realize that dream.
For now, though, all that he wants is for Lebanon to do something special here in Ahmedabad. "I'm very optimistic," he said, staying positive despite stumbling against their Gulf counterparts via a narrow 74-68 decision.
Of course, we’re disappointed with the loss, but I think we showed that we can fight and compete until the end.
"We have a lot of talent and a lot of heart on this team. If we stay together, play hard, and learn from this game, I believe we can do well in the tournament," El Herera closed.
FIBA