The University Interscholastic League just dropped some serious news for Texas high school basketball, and it could be hitting courts within weeks. On Monday, the legislative council for the state’s governing body for high school sports officially approved a plan for implementing a shot clock for both boys’ and girls’ basketball. Texas is set to become the 35th state to add one, though the Commissioner of Education still needs to give the final green light.
35 Seconds to Shake Up The Game
Get ready for a whole new pace of play, because a 35-second shot clock is on the way. The rollout is gonna be a gradual one, kicking off as soon as this winter. Schools will have the option to use the shot clock for varsity showcases and invitational tournaments right away. Next year, it’s an option for nondistrict conferences, too. Then, it becomes mandatory. We’re talking Class 5A and 6A getting it in the 2028-29 school year. Classes 3A and 4A follow in 2030-31, with Classes 1A and 2A rounding it out in 2032-33. It’s a long game, but the change is coming.
For years, this shot clock idea has been buzzing, and it looks like the pros at the top levels are all for it. A 2023 survey from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches showed a strong majority backing it, with 66% of boys’ head coaches and 57% of girls’ head coaches giving it a thumbs up. Even the superintendents were largely on board, with UIL surveys in Spring 2025 and Fall 2026 showing 61% of Class 6A superintendents and 68% of Class 5A superintendents in favor. It seems like the basketball world has spoken.
The Price Tag That Has Smaller Schools Scrambling
Here’s where things get real, real quick. Not everyone is celebrating this change, especially the smaller schools. Why? Money, plain and simple. Johnnie Carter, who heads up the state basketball coach’s association, pointed out that slapping a shot clock into a gym can run you anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000. That’s a significant chunk of change when a lot of Texas school districts are already pinching pennies.
And it’s not just the equipment. You need someone to actually run the dang thing. Casey Adams, the superintendent for Woodson ISD, a school district near Wichita Falls with only 160 students, laid it out perfectly. “I know for myself, a lot of times I’m the one running the clock at … games,” he said. Adams added, “Just adding another person, it’s just the burden of just staffing to figure all that out, and I know a majority of 1A superintendents did not want this or answer it.” It’s a fair point, right? Finding and training extra staff is no small feat for these tiny districts. Susan Bohn, one of the heads of the athletic standing committee, has heard these concerns and hinted at potential flexibility down the road.
So, while the shot clock is coming, and it’s gonna bring a fresh energy to Texas hoops, expect some serious discussions about how smaller schools are gonna make this work without breaking the bank or stretching their staff even thinner. This winter, keep an eye out for those optional shot clock debuts in tournaments. It’s gonna be wild to see how it changes the game!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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