Heidi Burge Horton, Inspiration for Disney Movie ‘Double Teamed,’ Dies at 54
Former University of Virginia women's basketball star Heidi Burge Horton, who was the inspiration for the Disney movie "Double Teamed," has died at the age of 54.
Springfield Holyoke, MA, October 9, 2026 — Heidi Burge Horton, a former standout athlete for the University of Virginia women’s basketball team, has passed away at the age of 54. Horton gained wider recognition as the real-life figure who inspired the Disney Channel movie “Double Teamed,” released in 2002.
The film chronicled the story of twin sisters who excel in basketball. Horton’s athletic career at the University of Virginia placed her in the spotlight during her collegiate years. The movie adaptation brought her personal journey and athletic achievements to a broader audience.
Details surrounding her passing have not been widely disclosed. Horton’s age at the time of her death was 54. Her connection to the film “Double Teamed” highlighted her influence beyond the basketball court.
Her time with the University of Virginia women’s basketball program was a significant part of her public life. The film served as a popular representation of the challenges and triumphs faced by collegiate athletes.
Story summarized from the original created by Matt Connolly on www.masslive.com, see more information here.
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