UIL is ready to add a shot clock for Texas high school basketball

A shot clock is finally coming to UIL basketball. But not right away.

And it will be phased in for the different classifications.

The UIL approved a mandated 35-second shot clock starting in the 2028-29 school year for Class 6A and 5A at Monday’s legislative council meeting. Texas will be joining 35 other states that have already adopted a shot clock.

Class 6A and 5A schools will have the option of implementing a shot clock for the 2027-28 school year, but it wouldn’t become mandatory until the following season. The UIL finally saw enough support from its member schools to adopt a shot clock, with more than 60% of those surveyed in 2025 and 2026 in favor of adding one in the UIL’s largest two classifications.

The UIL said that schools in 4A and 3A could add a shot clock in the 2030-31 school year and that it could be added in 2A and 1A for the 2032-33 school year. But the UIL added that it doesn’t necessarily have to happen in that format.

The UIL said in June that a shot clock could be used this season, but it will be optional for all classifications. It would only be available for varsity tournaments and showcase events upon mutual agreement between coaches.

“It’s intended to enhance skill development of players, eliminate stalling tactics to ensure competitive fairness and prepare student athletes for the structural realities of college basketball,” Susan Bohn, chair for the UIL’s Standing Committee on Athletics, said in June.

Brian Polk, chief operating officer for the Texas High School Coaches Association, said in June that “There are financial concerns, but they feel strongly that this is what is best for basketball in the state of Texas and that it’s good for their kids.”

The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches surveyed its coaches, and 62% of those who participated were in favor of adding a shot clock. The Texas Girls Coaches Association did its own survey and found that those in 1A and 2A were against adding a shot clock, while the other four classifications are all in favor of adopting one. Class 6A had the highest support for a shot clock, at 81%.