Syracuse’s iconic shot clock is moving from its longtime spot

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – The 24-second shot clock that has resided in Syracuse’s Armory Square for decades is on the move.

The monument will be relocated to the entrance of the Museum of Science and Technology. It will replace the horse statue that is currently in front of the building.

Syracuse University student Brandon Parikh is happy the new spot will bring more attention to the city’s rich basketball history.

“It really would bring awareness to the basketball scene here in general,” Parikh said. “I think it’s a really cool opportunity for other people to see it and understand it.”

The move coincides with a renovation of the park space where the shot clock was located. The area will now be used for outdoor dining.

The Syracuse Nationals introduced the 24-second shot clock to the National Basketball Association in 1954. Danny Biasone, the vice president and founding member of the Nationals, pitched the clock to the league as a way to increase pace of play. Biasone’s idea worked, as the scoring boost that followed the shot clock’s introduction led to a rapid growth in the league’s popularity. It’s for this reason that Syracuse is credited with saving the NBA.

“I think that statue is really representative of Syracuse,” Parikh said.

Work on the move is expected to begin in April. The city will be working with a local designer and metal specialist to ensure a smooth transition from its current location to the new spot.