India's U18 basketball team made a notable return to the quarterfinals of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup after an eight-year gap, achieving this milestone by narrowly defeating Lebanon 64-62. However, their campaign came to an abrupt end in the semifinals with a significant 89-43 loss to China, who showcased their dominance throughout the match. The Chinese team's physicality and superior height were evident, leading to a decisive victory and securing their place in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025. India, under new head coach Scott Flemming, struggled against China's aggressive defense, managing only 31% shooting and committing 28 turnovers. Despite the disappointing defeat, this tournament marked India's best performance since 2016, igniting hope for future competitions. Iran also advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Chinese Taipei 86-73, setting up a rematch with New Zealand.