Oklahoma high school basketball governing body approves shot clock

Oklahoma high school basketball will finally implement a shot clock for all games sanctioned by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. The OSSAA Board of Directors ratified by decision via an 11-3 vote and established full implementation by the 2026-27 season.

This outcome means that Oklahoma classes 3A to 6A will use a 35-second shot clock in all games. Meanwhile, in another vote, the OSSAA board approved the shot clock’s usage for non-playoff games in Classes 2A and 2B. However, this move is subject to approval by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The OSSAA based the varying policies on financial and logistical concerns. Low-income schools, which are often the smaller ones, find shot clocks expensive. Likewise, they must train people who will operate the shot clocks without errors.

That uncomfortable reality explains why, as The Oklahoman’s Jordan Davis wrote, 60 percent of Oklahoma high school basketball Class 2A and 2B coaches opposed the universal shot clock usage. Conversely, 70 percent of coaches from 3A to 6A approved the proposal.

The OSSAA Basketball Advisory Board has revealed the percentage of coaches per classification which vote in favor of implementing a shot clock to its Board of Directors:

6A — 94%
5A — 82%
4A — 74%
3A — 79%
2A — 59%
A — 51%
B — 45% #OKPreps

— Jordan Davis (@jdavis34_) April 23, 2025

As a compromise, the home team will determine shot clock use if a smaller school plays against a team from 3A to 6A. Class 2A and 2B teams playing each other must have a mutual agreement regarding the shot clock.

Davis added that ratifying a shot clock for high school basketball was a lengthy battle. In January 2023, the OSSAA board voted 8-7 to prevent the implementation of a universal shot clock.

However, the decision backfired after a game between Anadarko and Weatherford ended in a 4-2 final score. The excessive stalling tactics implemented by both teams sparked the outcry for a shot clock in Oklahoma high school basketball and beyond.

With the new result, Oklahoma joins 15 other states that fully embraced shot clock use. Meanwhile, 32 other states will implement some form of the shot clock. Those who support this initiative believe that having a shot clock will align its pace with higher competition levels.