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Tom Izzo campaigns for shot clock usage in Michigan high school basketball

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby: Lawrence Fernandez8 hours agolawandfern
Tom Izzo - Michigan high school basketball
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Legendary Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo strongly advocates shot clock use in Michigan high school basketball. The Hall of Fame mentor appeared in a video produced by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) to campaign for its implementation.

“Around the world and at every level of play, basketball is played with a shot clock. Thirty-four states will have currently adopted a shot clock by the 2026-27 season,” Izzo said. Meanwhile, BCAM executive director Dan Young added, “It’s becoming clear that shot clocks are the future of high school basketball. Our stance is to plan ahead rather than to react later.”

To standardize competition, the National Federation of State High School Associations approved the use of a 35-second shot clock starting in the 2022-23 season. As Young revealed, the Michigan High School Athletic Association and BCAM partnered in conducting trial events for feedback and real game data.

However, Michigan high school basketball remains in the minority of not adapting to the NFHS’s mandate. As always, the reasons for not embracing the clock range from the impact it imparts to the logistical demands of procuring the equipment and finding the personnel to operate them per game.

Michigan Wolverines women’s basketball head coach Kim Barnes Arico addressed the financial concern by saying, “Shot clocks range from $500 to $8,000 and vendors are committed to working with Michigan schools throughout discounts and payment plans.”

Meanwhile, Young explained, “Of the remaining 16 states (without a shot clock), 13 including Michigan are actively engaged in proposals and data collection.”

Leveraging his perspective as a basketball coach, Tom Izzo highlighted the shot clock’s importance by saying, “It forces coaches to teach the game more completely. It develops players who are smarter, quicker decision makers and better prepared for the next level of competition.”