Fresno City basketball coaches’ fast response helps save former Clovis High standout
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Fresno City coaches noticed Jackson Scarborough's distress and called an ambulance.
- Scarborough was taken to Community Regional Medical Center and rushed into surgery.
- Scarborough regained consciousness days after the nine-hour surgery and is recovering.
Former Clovis High basketball standout Jackson Scarborough is recovering after undergoing open-heart surgery following a medical emergency during basketball practice at Fresno City College.
Scarborough was participating in practice Monday when he began experiencing chest pain. Fresno City College men’s basketball coaches recognized that something was wrong and immediately called for an ambulance.
Scarborough, an incoming Rams freshman, was transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where doctors determined he needed to be rushed into emergency surgery.
“It was an intense nine-hour surgery,” said Joanna Scarborough, Jackson’s mother. “It was all very scary, but he made it through by the grace of God.”
Joanna Scarborough said she initially thought the response may have been an overreaction.
“But we quickly found out there wasn’t another minute to spare,” she said.
The surgery was successful, but the family’s anxiety continued as they waited for Jackson to regain consciousness. He remained asleep for several days following the procedure.
Throughout the week, Joanna Scarborough kept family and friends updated through Facebook.
On Thursday, the family received the news they had been waiting for.
“HE IS AWAKE AND TALKING,” Joanna Scarborough wrote in a Facebook post.
“We have a long road ahead. I’m not even sure what that is going to look like yet, but we are prepared for a lot of hard work,” she said.
The Scarborough family has received an outpouring of support from friends, relatives and members of the community as Jackson begins his recovery. A GoFundMe campaign has also been created to help with medical and recovery expenses.
Joanna Scarborough said she is grateful for everyone who has supported the family, especially the Fresno City College men’s basketball team staff under coach Robert Haynes.
“I am forever thankful for coach Haynes,” she said. “The way the coaching staff reacted to Jackson’s situation is why he is still with us today. I can’t wait to give him a hug.”
