Kentucky high school basketball to implement shot clock timer in 2027

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — High school basketball games across the Bluegrass will have a 35-second shot clock timer in two years after a 13-5 vote from the Kentucky High School Athletics Association (KHSAA).

Officials with the KHSAA’s board of control said in a news release on Sept. 17 that 32 state athletics associations nationwide use a shot clock, and Kentucky will be the 33rd, with a shot clock being implemented for the 2027-28 high school season.

“It has been a huge area of discussion throughout the Commonwealth for years, with the belief that using a shot clock will advance the game. It was proposed to begin the shot clock era in Kentucky for the 2026-27 season, but that vote did not pass,” KHSAA leaders wrote.

The decision was made during the board’s second regularly scheduled meeting of the school year on Wednesday, which will continue into Thursday. Board members said the Louisville Invitational Tournament experimented with the timer last season, and it had seemingly gone smoothly.

In addition to the addition of the shot clock timer, other topics were brought to the table for discussion concerning the growing transfer situation, the possibility of returning the KHSAA baseball state tournament to Legends Field, and certain sports moving to classes.

More information can be found at the KHSAA website.