NJSIAA Approves Basketball Shot Clock, Rejects Lacrosse Proposal

The following news was first reported by Varsity Aces on X.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association approved the implementation of a shot clock for basketball but declined to pass a similar measure for lacrosse during its vote on May 4.

The decisions follow ongoing statewide discussions centered on pace of play, competitive balance, financial considerations, and broader efforts to modernize high school athletics.

NJSIAA member schools voted 170–166 in favor of adopting a shot clock in basketball. In contrast, the lacrosse proposal was rejected by a vote of 166–149, with 21 abstentions.

For basketball, the shot clock will be set at 35 seconds—five seconds longer than the 30-second clock currently used at the collegiate level. The rule will be mandatory at the varsity level for both boys’ and girls’ programs, while implementation at the sub-varsity level will remain optional and determined by individual schools. The shot clock will take effect beginning with the 2027–2028 school year, allowing schools time to prepare for the transition.

The lacrosse proposal called for an 80-second shot clock that would have been required at the varsity level for both boys’ and girls’ teams.