Heidi Burge Horton, the former WNBA player whose basketball journey with her twin sister inspired Disney Channel's Double Teamed, has died at 54.
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Horton died Oct. 5 after battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to E! News. She was diagnosed in October 2025 and underwent radiation and chemotherapy. The cancer went into remission before returning in July, the outlet reported.
The University of Virginia, where Horton and her sister Heather Burge Quella played college basketball, honored her in an Oct. 8 statement.
"Heidi was a cherished member of the Virginia Women's Basketball family, her legacy will forever be a part of Virginia Athletics," the program wrote. "Our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones."
The sisters earned scholarships to Virginia after playing at Palos Verdes High School in California. Horton later played professionally overseas before joining the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997 and the Washington Mystics in 1998.
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. pic.twitter.com/j49F20cabU
— Virginia Women's Basketball (@UVAWomensHoops) October 8, 2026
Their story reached a different audience through Double Teamed, the 2002 Disney Channel movie starring Annie McElwain as Heidi and Poppi Monroe as Heather.
McElwain remembered the impact of a movie that put female athletes at the center of the story.
"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," she told E! News.
The WNBA mourns the passing of Heidi Burge Horton.
Heidi played in the league’s first two seasons, representing the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997 and Washington Mystics in 1998. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/G2ImjliLMq
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2026
After basketball, Horton settled in Houston, where her work included private basketball coaching. She is survived by her husband, Patrick, and their children, Jonathan and Holly.
Her memorial page is available through Eickenhorst Funeral Services.
