# Eight changes to high school basketball

> Chicago high school basketball shifts as public league declines.
- Title: Eight changes to high school basketball · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Chicago high school basketball shifts as public league declines. Chicago public high school teams no longer compete in state championships after 21 teams won…
- Keywords: chicago, high school basketball, public league, ihsa, private schools, college recruiting, transfer portal, state championships, news, local, Eight, changes
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/high-school-basketball/2026/09/23/eight-changes-to-the-local-high-school-basketball-landscape
- Published: 2026-09-23T15:09:28.58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chicago, high school basketball, public league, ihsa, private schools, college recruiting, transfer portal, state championships, news, local
## Shot clock
The 35-second shot clock becomes official for the 2026-27 season, including the first IHSA state tournament.
## Transfers
High school players transfer in unprecedented numbers, a trend not seen in decades.
## Coaching hires
High schools no longer face pressure to hire top coaching talent, a shift from past practices.
## Media coverage
Local newspapers reduced coverage of high school basketball by 15 to 20 years due to staff cuts.
## Public League basketball
No Public League team has won a big-school state championship in three seasons.
## Private-school basketball
Nine private schools played in big-school state championships since 2022, with five winning titles.
## Prep schools raiding the state
Top Illinois high school players now leave for college after prep schools gain influence.
## College recruiting
The Class of 2027 will have fewer than 15 Division I players, the lowest in state history.
## State championship decline
Public League teams won state championships for 16 years before a three-year drought.
## Talent shift
Illinois high school talent has dropped as players leave for college and private schools gain prominence.
## Future impact
The decline in public school basketball could reshape high school sports for years to come.
## Key takeaway

Chicago public high school teams no longer compete in state championships after 21 teams won titles in the past 16 years.