Shot clocks were used by 24 state associations for high school basketball during the 2025-26 season. Six more states will be implementing shot clock mandates in 2026-27 while five states will add timed possessions over the next three seasons.
Last week, the University Interscholastic League — the governing body that presides over Texas — became the most recent state to approve using a 35-second shot clock for all boys and girls basketball games beginning with a phased approach over a six-year period beginning in 2028-29 for all varsity contests in Class 5A and Class 6A.
In addition to the 35 state associations who have installed or made plans to install shot clocks in future seasons, Missouri, South Carolina and Wisconsin have optional shot clocks for certain showcases and events if both teams agree prior to the matchup.
Prior to the recommendation by the National Federation of State High School Associations for states to adopt a shot clock in 2021, only nine states had a shot clock mandate across the country.
Georgia became the ninth state in 2020-21, joining California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Washington as the only states who adopted a shot clock prior to the NFHS recommendation.
Despite momentum toward a universal shot clock in recent seasons, some states remain firm on their stance against the implementation of a timed possessions.
On the same day New Jersey approved the shot clock in the spring, the Indiana High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted down a proposal to add a 35-second shot clock to boys and girls varsity basketball games with a 17-1 vote count.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors also strongly opposed the implementation of the shot clock with a unanimous vote of 17-0 against the motion.
