Shot Clock Comes to Illinois High School Basketball
After years of discussion and limited trials, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has officially approved a 35‑second shot clock for every varsity boys and girls basketball game starting with the 2026‑27 season. The decision follows a majority vote among member schools and reflects a broader push to modernize the sport and reduce stalling tactics that can dampen scoring.
Coaches across the state have voiced strong support for the change. Alton High School boys basketball coach Dylan Dudley explained that the clock will force teams to take the first good shot, thereby increasing possessions and sharpening offensive execution. "It raises the quality of play and helps players develop quicker decision‑making," Dudley said.
The rollout will be staged. While the shot clock will be mandatory for all varsity contests, it will remain optional for freshman, sophomore and junior varsity games during the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 seasons, provided competing schools agree. Schools must install properly mounted shot clocks in their primary gymnasiums, a requirement that carries a price tag of roughly $5,000 per unit plus about $2,000 for installation.
The financial and logistical considerations have not deterred many programs. Alton High School, for example, ordered its shot clock equipment two years ago and integrated it during the construction of a new auxiliary gym. The Southwestern Conference, which includes Alton and Edwardsville, already used the clock for conference contests last season, giving its members a head start on the transition.
Survey data underscores the coaches' enthusiasm: 75% of boys head coaches and 68% of girls head coaches expressed support for a shot clock. Nationally, 29 states already employ a shot clock, and Illinois joins Oklahoma as the latest adopters. Neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania are expected to follow suit in the coming years.
For coaches like Matt Murphy of Jersey High School, the change is seen as an opportunity to open up the game and create more scoring chances. "When you have a clock, you can’t just sit on the ball; you have to move and find that first quality shot," Murphy noted. The IHSA believes the new rule will not only improve the spectator experience but also better prepare athletes for the faster pace of college and professional basketball.