GHSA approves shot clock use for high school basketball

Georgia will become the 10th state to implement a shot clock in high school basketball.

The Georgia High School Association approved a proposal Tuesday to mandate the use of a 30-second shot clock for all varsity games. The shot clock will be phased in over the next three years, so it will not be required for all contests until the 2022-2023 season.

UGA men's basketball coach Tom Crean and GSU coach Rob Lanier at the GHSA meeting.

According to the initial proposal, this upcoming season would feature shot clocks "only in approved holiday tournaments and showcase games," and would "not (be) allowed in region games or post season games."

In the second year of the phase-in (2021-2022), the shot clock would be used in approved tournaments and showcases as well as region play, if the region approved. In the final phase-in year, the shot clock would finally be used in all varsity games including state playoffs.

Proponents for this plan included UGA head men's basketball coach Tom Crean, who traveled to lobby for it with the GHSA basketball subcommittee at the Thomaston-Upson County Civic Center.

Some, however, worry about the cost of buying and installing shot clocks and related technology in high school gymnasiums across the state.