The Kentucky High School Athletic Association Board of Control voted 13-5 on Wednesday to adopt a 35-second shot clock for varsity girls' and boys' basketball starting with the 2027-28 season.
A motion to implement the shot clock for the 2026-27 season was defeated 11-7.
A survey conducted by the KHSAA earlier this year showed nearly 60% of the schools were not in favor of a shot clock.
"At a certain point, if we don't do it, it's going to become mandated (by the National Federation of State High School Associations), do we want to be the one of the last five or six states that has it forced upon us because we wouldn't modernize our game?" Board of Control President Damon Kelley said.
Thirty-two state associations have adopted the shot clock since the NFHS gave the option to do it.
"I think the concern of finding qualified people to run it can be addressed by putting an official there," Kelley said. "The only negative that I've heard that I don't know how to address is the cost factor because you gotta buy the clocks, you gotta install them and then you gotta pay someone to operate it. I don't have a magic wand."
"You heard this in the regional meetings, these same schools that are paying 15-grand for Hudl, can, will find the clock," KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett said.
The Louisville Invitational Tournament, with permission from the KHSAA, used a shot clock last season.
