Is it time for shot clock in high school basketball? Proposal coming to IHSAA vote

TL;DR

The Indiana High School Athletic Association will vote on a shot clock proposal on May 4, potentially implementing a 35-second shot clock for the 2028-29 season. Recent straw polls show 70% of principals oppose the shot clock, contrasting with the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association's support.

Key points

IHSAA to vote on shot clock proposal on May 4
35-second shot clock for varsity games proposed
Implementation set for the 2028-29 season if approved
70% of principals oppose the shot clock
Indiana Basketball Coaches Association supports the proposal

The implementation of a shot clock in Indiana high school basketball will come up for vote at the Indiana High School Athletic Association board of directors meeting on May 4.

If voted through, a 35-second shot clock would go into effect for the 2028-29 basketball season for varsity games only. Will it happen?

Does college basketball need to lower the shot clock from 35 seconds to 30 or lower?

IHSAA commissioner Paul Neidig said that the straw polls conducted by the IHSAA at four principals’ meetings last week at Fort Wayne Snider, Hobart, Logansport and Pendleton Heights, the vote was about 70% against a shot clock. That vote is almost exactly the opposite the vote from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association, which is making the proposal.

Neidig said there are 66 schools that are already set up with a shot clock in their main gym, according to a survey conducted by the IHSAA. The biggest concerns include the additional bench personnel to run the clock, the cost (roughly $10,000 per school according to Neidig) and officials’ concerns over resetting the clock and coordinating with the scorer’s table.

“I think most of those things resolve themselves over time,” Neidig said. “It really comes down to whether it is good for the game of basketball.”

As of the 2025-26 season, there are 32 states that now use a shot clock at the high school level. Alabama voted just this week to add a 35-second shot clock for the 2026-27 season.

If the shot clock vote fails to pass, Neidig said he expects it will come up again in two years when the IBCA could again make a proposal.

“The coaches association has to respond to what their membership wants,” Neidig said. “If 75 percent of their coaches want it, they are going to keep asking for it.”

The National Federation of State High School Associations approved state adoption for a 35-second shot clock four years ago but does not mandate a shot clock.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA basketball: A 35-second shot clock will come before vote in May

Q&A

What is the proposed shot clock duration for Indiana high school basketball?

The proposal suggests a 35-second shot clock for varsity games.

When will the shot clock be implemented if approved?

If approved, the shot clock will go into effect for the 2028-29 basketball season.

What were the results of the straw polls regarding the shot clock proposal?

The straw polls indicated that about 70% of principals were against the shot clock, contrasting with the support from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.