Wisconsin’s Greg Gard, Max Klesmit and John Blackwell voice support for shot clock in high school basketball

ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS – If Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Greg Gard and standouts Max Klesmit and John Blackwell were in charge, the shot clock would universally be a part of high school basketball.

Of course, that has been a hot topic in Wisconsin for years.

The three were asked about the issue during Big Ten basketball media day Thursday at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

“I don’t understand why we don’t have one in high school basketball,” Klesmit said.

The WIAA has the authority to implement the shot clock in Wisconsin, but a variety of issues, such as the cost of the clocks and finding people to run them, have prevented the idea from becoming a reality. The Badgers looked at the matter from a purely basketball perspective.

Klesmit related a story of how difficult his transition to college ball was. He went from playing at Neenah, which played at a slower tempo, to Wofford’s fast-paced offense.

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“I didn’t play in the EYBL or a circuit like that where there is a shot clock and I got to Wofford my first year and we get down here and we’re just chucking,” he recalled. “We shoot anything that’s open, but then you realize that there’s 5 seconds left on the shot clock.”

Blackwell didn’t have a shot clock during his days playing high school ball in Michigan, but he did play with one in the EYBL. He said the experience helped him learn how to quickly get into sets and make moves.

“It changes the game,” he said.

Badgers coach Greg Gard argues that the shot clock improved the game in a variety of ways.

“I think we’re hurting the development of high school players by not having it,” he said. “I’ve been a vocal proponent of that, that we need it. I understand the road blocks that have been in place that has not allowed it to happen yet.

“I think we make the game better. Players are better. They have to make more decisions. Coaches are better. You have…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsins-greg-gard-max-klesmit-100747287.html

Author : Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-10-04 10:07:47

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