Lakers’ LeBron James Calls for Youth Basketball Shot Clock in Response to OHSAA

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LeBron James is ready for Ohio high schoolers competitors to start shooting more like professional players.

The Los Angeles Lakers star called for the addition of a shot clock to his home state’s high school basketball games in a response to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OSHAA) on X.

“We have to grow our kids motors, minds and style of play,” James wrote.

LeBron James@KingJames

Cool cool cool but when will the Board of Directors approved a shot clock for Boys & Girls basketball??? We have to grow our kids motors, minds and style of play.

James played basketball for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, where he won three state championships and one national title from 1999 to 2003.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which determines the generally-accepted rules used in high school sports across the United States, began allowing a shot clock in high school basketball games starting in the 2022-23 season, if the change is approved by the state’s athletic association.

The NFHS recommended setting the shot clock at 35 seconds. The federation considered mandating a shot clock, but voted against it.

As of Jan. 24, 27 state high school associations across the United States have adopted the shot clock, according to the Columbus Dispatch‘s Dave Purpura and Frank DiRenna.

But OHSAA representatives have said ever since the NFHS vote that this change is nowhere near taking place in Ohio. Media Relations Director Tim Stried told Purpura and DiRenna last month that OHSAA has never formally discussed or held a vote about instituting a shot clock.

That could change now that the association’s most famous alumnus has brought national attention to OHSAA’s holdout.