Illinois high schools move to phase in basketball shot clock

Illinois high schools will soon use a shot clock in their basketball games.

The Illinois High School Association announced recently that its Board of Directors approved recommendations from their advisory committee, one being the use of a 35-second shot clock in boys and girls varsity games, beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

The IHSA said use of a shot clock for freshman, sophomore and junior varsity games could begin sooner, as determined by mutual agreement between teams or conferences.

The IHSA has allowed shot-clock usage in specific events the past two seasons, but not in general competition.

The IHSA said the two-season lead time will provide schools with the opportunity to install the shot clocks and get comfortable with them from a coaching and game administration perspective.

In 2020, the National Federation of High Schools approved state adoption of a 35-second shot clock in girls and boys basketball. Nine state associations added the shot clock in 2022, and five more in 2023. In all, 27 state associations utilize a shot clock in some capacity.



(AP Photo Patrick Semansky)