Florida high school basketball governing body approves universal shot clock usage

Starting in the 2026-2027 season, all Florida high school basketball games will use a shot clock. As originally reported by the Florida-Times Union’s Clayton Freeman, the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted to implement the shot clock in boys and girls basketball.

The board originally wanted to have Florida high schools use the shot clock starting in the 2024-25 season. However, when they delayed the enactment to 2026-27, the rule passed via a 15-1 vote. Once used, Florida high school basketball teams will have 35 seconds to make a shot attempt. It’s five seconds longer than the NCAA’s shot clock and 11 seconds longer than in the NBA and WNBA.

The delay in the implementation makes sense because shot clocks don’t come cheap. Florida high school basketball schools must shell out around $3,000 to $5,000 to procure them. Likewise, schools must train someone to operate them according to the rulebook.

The FHSAA tried having shot clocks during the 2024-25 state championships. However, participating teams in one game must both agree to use it at least 24 hours before the game’s schedule.

As of writing, 31 states are implementing the shot clock in high school basketball competitions. California started using it in 1997, way before the National Federation of High School Associations called for its use, while New York institutionalized it in 2022. Georgia high school basketball started the shot clock in the 2022-23 season, while Utah approved using it starting in the 2024-25 season. Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina have approved using the shot clock.

Conversely, unlike Florida high school basketball, Pennsylvania postponed the voting for shot clock usage. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s proposal didn’t clear the committee stage.