---
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.
---

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# [Athletic Trainer's Fast Response Helps Save Fresno Basketball Player's Life](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/athletic-trainers-fast-response-helps-save-fresno-basketball-players-life)

 Written by [Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark) | Jul 21, 2026 12:30:02 PM

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.

<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/)!

[View full post](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/athletic-trainers-fast-response-helps-save-fresno-basketball-players-life)

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