A 35-second shot clock for state high school basketball in classes 6A through 3A was approved by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association board of directors.

The vote to approve a staff recommendation based on surveys of coaches and administrators was 11-3 and the change will take effect in the 2026-27 season.

Adoption applies to regular season and postseason games.

In a second motion, the board approved 10-4 on an experimental basis the use of a shot clock for non-playoff games for smaller classes, as long as both schools agree, pending approval from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Last spring, the board turned down a shot clock for 6A and 5A by a vote of 8-7.

OSSAA assistant director Brian Lester, who oversees small school basketball for the association, told the board Wednesday that 94% of Class 6A coaches, 82% of 5A coaches, 74% of 4A coaches, and 79% of 3A coaches surveyed were in favor of a shot clock.

While 59% of Class 2A coaches, 51% of Class A coaches and 45% of Class B coaches said they favored a shot clock, 45% of Class 2A superintendents, 27% of Class A superintendents and 26% of Class B superintendents said they favored the idea.

When a 6A-3A school plays a 2A-B opponent, the host team will decide whether a shot clock is used. When teams from smaller schools play each other, they can decide whether or not they want to play with a shot clock.