Heidi Burge Horton, the former University of Virginia and WNBA player whose story with her twin sister, Heather, inspired the 2002 Disney Channel movie Double Teamed, has died at age 54. According to her online obituary, she died Oct. 5 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor she was diagnosed with in October 2025.
The University of Virginia women's basketball program announced her passing on Thursday, calling her "a cherished member of the Virginia Women's Basketball family" and saying her legacy will remain part of Virginia athletics.
The Burge twins were recognized by Guinness World Records in 1991 as the world's tallest female twins. Heidi helped Virginia reach three Final Fours, played professionally overseas, then joined the WNBA's early seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics. A back injury ended her playing career.
She later settled in Houston and became president and head coach of Hoops-School, a youth basketball program in West Houston, where she was known as "Coach Heidi." From 1999 to 2009, she also ran Heidi's Hoops for Hope, a nonprofit that offered free basketball camps to children in underserved schools.
Annie McElwain, who portrayed Horton in the Disney film, said she was grateful the twins' story reached so many young viewers. WNBA player Brianna Turner also shared a tribute, recalling that Horton spent time with her youth team in 2010 and shared her knowledge of the game.
Horton is survived by her husband, Patrick, and their two children.
For a woman who spent years giving kids free camps and mentoring young athletes, that quiet service is the legacy many will carry forward. Our prayers are with her family, her sister Heather and the many young players she coached.
