The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association Board of Control has voted to adopt a 35‑second shot clock for high school basketball, a rule that will take effect at the start of the 2028‑29 season.
Board approval and next steps
The measure passed with a 10‑1 tally, reflecting broad support for faster pacing and alignment with the majority of states that already employ a shot clock in high school play.
At least 32 states across the country have adopted some form of shot clock for their high school programs, a trend that has been accelerating over the past decade.
Iowa and Minnesota have mandated the clock for several years, while Illinois is set to roll out a regulated version for the upcoming 2026‑27 season, leaving Michigan as the only neighboring state that does not currently require a shot clock.
Under the WIAA proposal, nonconference games may experiment with the 35‑second clock a year earlier, in the 2026‑27 season, but only if both competing schools agree to its use.
The plan now advances to a full membership vote scheduled for the 2027 WIAA annual meeting, where final approval will be required before the rule can be implemented statewide.
If adopted, the change will standardize game tempo across Wisconsin, bringing the state in line with the national norm and potentially reshaping coaching strategies and player development.