Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on October 8, 2026, 10:23 PM

A legend on the court is receiving heartfelt tributes from across the sports world. Heidi Burge Horton, a WNBA player who, along with her twin sister Heather Burge Quella, served as the inspiration for the 2002 Disney Channel Original Film Double Teamed, passed away on October 5 at the age of 54.

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Horton had been diagnosed with grade four glioblastoma, an aggressive and fast-growing brain tumor, in October 2025, as stated in her memorial note. She underwent several cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, prompting her cancer to go into remission before returning in July 2026.

Her former university, the University of Virginia, honored the basketball player shortly after her passing, saying on X Oct. 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,” they added. “Our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.”

Born on November 12, 1971, Horton and her sister Quella started playing basketball in high school while attending Palos Verdes High School in California. Both of them were awarded scholarships to attend the University of Virginia. Her sister favored the center position, but Horton played both center and power forward.

According to her obituary, Horton played professional basketball abroad from 1993 to 1997, representing France, Hungary, Italy, and Greece.

After coming back to the US in 1997, she spent a year with the Los Angeles Sparks before joining the Washington Mystics in 1998. On August 19, 1998, Horton's final WNBA game with the Mystics took place against the Charlotte Sting.

After retiring from basketball, Horton settled in Houston, where she interned in press and media broadcasting for the Houston Comets, worked as a physical therapist, and coached basketball privately.

At 6 feet 5 inches, Horton and Quella were named the world's tallest female twins by Guinness World Records in 1991. However, twins Claire and Ann Recht, who are each 6 feet 7 inches tall, shattered the record in 2007.

Horton and her sister will also be recognized for Double Teamed, which starred Annie McElwain as Horton and Poppi Monroe as Quella, in addition to her athletic prowess. it also portrayed the sisters’ rise to basketball fame, though the film changed some details of their story.

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“They did take the major themes of our lives, like the big move and having to fit the new, whole wealthier neighborhood,” in July 2025, one sister appeared on the Magical Rewind podcast. “They added things to make it more drama, like the girl that was really bad on the team and was trying to get us off the team and the guy.”

Additionally, the two stated that they never engaged in combat as depicted in the movie's last scene.

Horton leaves behind her husband, Patrick, and their two children Jonathan, 23, and Holly, 21.