Heidi Burge Horton Dies at 54 After Brain Cancer Battle

Heidi Burge Horton, a former University of Virginia basketball standout whose career with her twin sister inspired a Disney Channel movie, has died at 54 following a battle with brain cancer. Horton, who played professionally in the WNBA and later coached young athletes in the Houston area, died Monday, according to a notice published by Eikenhorst Funeral Services and reports from multiple news outlets.

Horton was diagnosed with Grade 4 glioblastoma in October 2025, according to her obituary. After treatment with radiation and chemotherapy brought the disease into remission, the tumors returned in July 2026, and she entered palliative care in September, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Her death prompted tributes from the University of Virginia women's basketball program, former teammates and people connected to the 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie Double Teamed, which portrayed the basketball journey of Horton and her twin sister, Heather Burge.

The Virginia women's basketball program announced its grief in a statement posted on X on October 8.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Heidi Burge Horton. Heidi was a cherished member of the Virginia Women’s Basketball family, her legacy will forever be a part of Virginia Athletics. Our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones," the University of Virginia women's basketball program said.

Horton and Heather played for Virginia from 1989 to 1993, helping the Cavaliers win three Atlantic Coast Conference championships and reach three consecutive NCAA Women's Final Four tournaments. They played alongside Dawn Staley, who later became the head coach of the University of South Carolina women's basketball team.

Staley, a former teammate, also paid tribute to Horton on social media.

"We are all heartbroken! We love you Heidi. May your soul rest in peace and your body pain free. #wahooforlife," Staley wrote on X.

Horton and her sister first developed their basketball skills at Palos Verdes High School in California before earning full scholarships to Virginia. In 1991, the twins were recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest female twins, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, according to reports. Their record was later surpassed.

Their lives became the basis for Double Teamed, a Disney Channel Original Movie released in 2002 that dramatized their rise in high school basketball. The film introduced their story to younger audiences, although the sisters later said the production changed some events for dramatic effect.

Annie McElwain, who portrayed Heidi in the film, shared a statement with E! News after learning of her death.

"I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Heidi Burge. While I didn’t know Heidi personally, I’m incredibly grateful that her story, alongside Heather’s, became Double Teamed and reached so many young viewers. At a time when there were so few films celebrating women in sports, Heidi and Heather’s story helped young girls see that they, too, could dream big and become elite athletes.

It’s a beautiful legacy to leave behind, and I hope the inspiration Heidi’s story sparked continues to create a ripple effect for generations to come. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones," McElwain said.

After graduating from Virginia, Horton played professional basketball in Europe from 1993 to 1997, competing in France, Hungary, Italy and Greece, according to her obituary. She joined the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997 before moving to the Washington Mystics in 1998 as the new franchise prepared for its inaugural season.

Horton retired from the WNBA in 1999 following a career-ending back injury. Her sister Heather played one season with the Sacramento Monarchs that year, meaning the twins never competed together in the league.

Following her playing career, Horton moved to Houston, where she briefly worked in broadcasting with the Houston Comets. She also became a physical therapist specializing in back injuries and established Hoops School, a youth basketball program serving the Houston area.

In a 2024 interview with The Buzz Magazines, Horton described the fulfillment she found in coaching young players.

"Second graders, fifth graders, they listen. That’s the biggest reward in your whole life," Horton said. "I had so many people pour into me, and I get to just pour it right out. That’s the torch."

Horton is survived by her husband, Patrick Horton, their children, Jonathan and Holly, and her twin sister, Heather, according to published reports.