Texas high school basketball governing body postpones shot clock implementation

The governing body for Texas high school basketball voted to delay the implementation of a shot clock for all competitions. Instead, the University Interscholastic League Athletic Committee will continue to study separate proposals for its usage after the Legislative Council stalled the shot clock’s usage.

Therefore, Texas high school basketball competitions during the 2024-25 season won’t use a shot clock. Teams can exploit by delaying an attempt at the basket, especially if they have the lead. However, the UIL can put up this proposal for voting during the 2026-27 offseason.

The Legislative Council called for a delay in the implementation because of the costs and effort in installing shot clocks in every Texas high school basketball program. Estimates reveal that the clocks could be worth up to $3,000 a pair, an amount that not all schools can afford. Likewise, schools must train individuals who will operate the shot clock, a necessity that some teams could not afford.

By the 2026-27 season, 31 states and Washington, D.C. will implement the shot clock in all games, which will likely be 35 seconds. Florida is one of the latest states to allow the shot clock’s usage.

In addition to finalizing the decision on a shot clock for Texas high school basketball, the UIL also voted to delay the sanctioning of girls’ flag football. The UIL will further review this proposal even if the Dallas Cowboys initiated a girls’ flag football league, participated in by 86 high schools across the state.