--- title: Athletic Trainer's Fast Response Helps Save Fresno Basketball Player's Life description: An Athletic Trainer's quick assessment and emergency response helped save a Fresno City College basketball player's life after a hidden heart condition emerged. image: https://blog.healthyroster.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Jackson%20Scarboroughs%20Moment%20of%20Tension%20at%20Fresno%20City%20College%20Gym.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/athletic-trainers-fast-response-helps-save-fresno-basketball-players-life#main-content) [![HR Logo [Recovered]_Full Color Vertical-1](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HR%20Logo%20%5BRecovered%5D_Full%20Color%20Vertical-1.png?width=199&height=178&name=HR%20Logo%20%5BRecovered%5D_Full%20Color%20Vertical-1.png) ](https://www.healthyroster.com/) - [Sports Med Blog](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog) - [Healthy Roster](https://healthyroster.com) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Sports Med Blog](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog) - [Healthy Roster](https://healthyroster.com) - [ Get a demo ](https://www.healthyroster.com/demo-settings) [ Get a demo ](https://www.healthyroster.com/demo-settings) [ All posts ](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/all) July 21, 2026 # Athletic Trainer's Fast Response Helps Save Fresno Basketball Player's Life ![Picture of Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Clark.jpg?width=50&name=Tim%20Clark.jpg) By  [ Tim Clark ](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark)  ·  1 minute read ![Athletic Training Articles and News Stories](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20Articles.png?width=540&height=162&name=Athletic%20Training%20Articles.png) What began as a routine basketball practice at Fresno City College quickly became a life-threatening emergency when incoming freshman Jackson Scarborough began experiencing chest pain before practice had even started. [![Jackson Scarboroughs Moment of Tension at Fresno City College Gym](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Jackson%20Scarboroughs%20Moment%20of%20Tension%20at%20Fresno%20City%20College%20Gym.png?width=400&height=267&name=Jackson%20Scarboroughs%20Moment%20of%20Tension%20at%20Fresno%20City%20College%20Gym.png)](https://abc30.com/post/clovis-teen-survives-life-threatening-emergency-during-fresno-city-college-basketball-practice/19536109/)Scarborough, an 18-year-old recent graduate of Clovis High School, had no known history of heart problems. According to his mother, Joanna Scarborough, he had spent most of his life playing basketball. *"He's been playing since he was in first grade. He's been playing competitively since fourth grade,"* she said. After the team finished watching film, Jackson told coach Rob Haynes he wasn't feeling well. Athletic Trainer Francisco Gamboa was called over to evaluate him. *"They had just gotten out of the film, so they hadn't done any physical exertion at all,"* Gamboa said. After checking Jackson's vital signs, Gamboa realized something wasn't right. *"I saw the readings, and they weren't matching up with what was being shown,"* he said. EMS was immediately called, and Jackson was transported to Community Regional Medical Center. Doctors initially suspected an aneurysm but instead discovered an aortic dissection—a rare, life-threatening tear in the aorta. He underwent nine hours of emergency surgery. *"What we've heard is that only 30% of people to whom this happens actually make it to the hospital,"* Joanna Scarborough said. She credits Fresno City College's athletic staff with recognizing the seriousness of the situation and acting without hesitation. *"They're the heroes here. They recognized it and they made the call to get him here in time,"* she said. For Gamboa, the experience reinforced why emergency preparedness matters. *"It's what you train for, hoping you never have to use it,"* he said. *"But the fact that I actually got to implement it and save someone's life is very gratifying."* Jackson is now recovering in a rehabilitation hospital as his family focuses on his continued healing. Check out the full story [here](https://abc30.com/post/clovis-teen-survives-life-threatening-emergency-during-fresno-city-college-basketball-practice/19536109/)! 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