Heidi Burge Horton, Basketball Player Who Inspired Disney Movie, Dies at 54
The former University of Virginia star, known for playing alongside her twin sister, passed away earlier this week.
Heidi Burge Horton, a former University of Virginia women's basketball player whose collegiate career alongside her twin sister inspired a Disney Channel movie, has died at the age of 54. The university's women's basketball program announced her death on Thursday, calling her a "cherished member" of their athletic family.
Horton played for the Cavaliers from 1989 to 1993 with her twin sister, Heather. Together, they achieved significant success in Charlottesville, winning three ACC championships and reaching three consecutive Final Fours in 1990, 1991, and 1992. The team advanced to the national championship game in 1991, ultimately falling to Tennessee in overtime.
The twins, who were born in Harbor City, California, played together through high school before accepting scholarships to UVA. A 1993 Sports Illustrated profile described Heidi as playing a more defensive role compared to her sister Heather's scoring prowess, noting their on-court dynamic.
After her college career, Horton played professionally overseas for three seasons before joining the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1997. She played for the Los Angeles Sparks and the Washington Mystics, retiring in 2000 due to a back injury. Two years later, Disney released "Double Teamed," a film based on the lives of the Burge twins.
According to an obituary, Horton was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a grade four brain tumor, in October 2025. While her cancer initially went into remission following chemotherapy, it returned in July. She is survived by her husband, Patrick, and their two children, Jonathan and Holly.