In the world of women’s college basketball, a special bond is taking center court: sisterhood. From the Cavinder twins’ social media reign to the Burge sisters’ Final Four dominance, sibling duos are proving that there’s nothing quite like the connection forged on the hardwood. As these sisters continue to make waves, their stories illuminate the unique power of family ties in the sport.
The Cavinder Twins: TikTok Stars and On-Court Standouts
Leading the sister act revolution are Haley and Hanna Cavinder, the Miami Hurricanes’ dynamic duo. The twins have harnessed their massive social media following—4.5 million on TikTok and over 300,000 on Instagram—to secure lucrative name, image, and likeness deals. But their influence extends far beyond the digital realm.
On the court, the Cavinders are a force to be reckoned with. Through Miami’s first five games of the 2024-25 season, Haley paced the team in scoring (15.4 points per game) and rebounding (6.0 per game), while Hanna contributed 8.2 points and tied her sister for the team lead in assists (4.0 per game). Hanna also shot a blistering 88% from the free throw line, showcasing the twins’ all-around prowess.
The Burge Twins: Virginia’s Final Four Fixtures
Before the Cavinders, there were Heather and Heidi Burge. The twins starred at Virginia from 1989-1993, etching their names in the annals of ACC history. Heather earned first-team All-ACC honors in 1992 and 1993, capturing ACC Player of the Year in ’93. Together, the Burges propelled Virginia to three straight Final Fours from 1990-1992 and a trio of ACC tournament titles.
The Mabrey Trio: Notre Dame’s Sister Act
Not to be outdone, the Mabrey sisters—Michaela, Marina, and Dara—made Notre Dame history as the first trio of siblings to suit up for the Irish. Michaela (2012-2016) and Marina (2015-2019) played together in 2015-16, while Dara (2020-2023) followed in their footsteps after transferring from Virginia Tech. Marina’s crowning achievement? Helping Notre Dame capture the 2018 national championship.
The Miller Twins: Georgia Greats
The turn of the millennium belonged to Coco and Kelly Miller, Georgia’s twin terrors. From 1997-2001, the duo dazzled, with Coco twice earning All-SEC honors and Kelly securing two All-America nods and a pair of SEC Player of the Year awards. The Millers led the Lady Bulldogs to the 1999 Final Four and 2000 Elite Eight, cementing their status as UGA legends.
The Ogwumike Sisters: Stanford Superstars
At Stanford, Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike rewrote the record books. Both earned multiple All-America honors and Pac-12 Player of the Year awards, with Chiney claiming the 2014 Wooden Award as the nation’s top player. The sisters guided the Cardinal to the Final Four in 2011 and 2012, with Nneka’s squad reaching the title game in 2010.
The Paris Twins: Oklahoma’s Dynamic Duo
From 2005-2009, Courtney and Ashley Paris terrorized the Big 12 at Oklahoma. Courtney was a three-time conference player of the year and four-time All-American, while Ashley joined her on the All-Big 12 first team in 2009. The twins powered OU to the 2009 Final Four, leaving an indelible mark on the Sooners’ program.
The Samuelson Sisters: Coast-to-Coast Excellence
The Samuelson sisters—Bonnie, Karlie, and Katie Lou—took their talents from coast to coast. Katie Lou starred at UConn from 2015-2019, winning a national title in 2016 and twice earning first-team All-America and AAC Player of the Year honors. Bonnie (2011-2015) and Karlie (2013-2017), meanwhile, shone at Stanford, garnering All-Pac-12 recognition.
The Scalia Sisters: Minnesota Magic
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Amber and Sara Scalia are making waves. Amber is a standout at St. Thomas-Minnesota, averaging 16.8 points as a sophomore in 2023-24. Sara, meanwhile, starred at Minnesota and Indiana from 2019-2024, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 en route to a Sweet 16 appearance with the Hoosiers.
The Truong Twins: Gonzaga’s Guiding Forces
At Gonzaga, Kayleigh and Kaylynne Truong made their mark from 2019-2024. Kaylynne was a two-time WCC Player of the Year and first-team all-conference pick, while Kayleigh also earned a pair of first-team All-WCC nods. Together, the twins steered the Zags to the Sweet 16 in 2024, showcasing their postseason pedigree.
From coast to coast, in conferences big and small, sisters are leaving an indelible imprint on the women’s college basketball landscape. As the Cavinders and their contemporaries continue to shine, they’re proving that there’s nothing quite like the bonds of sisterhood on the hardwood. With each passing season, these dynamic duos are etching their names in the record books—and in the hearts of fans everywhere.
