Huskies celebrate Burt's return with win over Arizona

SEATTLE -- She didn't take a shot or play a single minute. From the start, though, this was Kayla Burt's big night.

After spending much of the past week in a hospital bed after her chilling near-death episode, Burt rejoined the Washington program and cheered from the bench as the Huskies beat Arizona State 69-56 Thursday night.

Washington's starters were introduced, and the sophomore guard received a lengthy standing ovation when the public address announcer added her to the lineup as "an honorary sixth starter for the Huskies."

She smiled and waved to the fans as she returned to the bench.

Burt's heart stopped beating on New Year's Eve and five teammates kept her alive with CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until paramedics arrived.

The 20-year-old Burt subsequently was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a rare inherited electrical disorder that causes heartbeat irregularities. She had a defibrillator implanted in her chest Monday and was released from University of Washington Medical Center the next day.

After the final horn, Burt addressed fans.

"I can't even begin to tell you about these girls. They're my best friends. They're my sisters. They always will be. You guys are the best," she said, as fans chanted, "Kayla, Kayla, Kayla."

"The attendance tonight was amazing," Burt said. "Keep bringing the fans. These guys were warriors tonight. They played their hearts out and I know they're playing for me."

The arena was more than half empty but it was a cheerful crowd, delighting not only in Burt's rapid recovery but also Washington's decisive victory.

Burt was the star all night.

She was surrounded by cameras during warmups. One person held up a sign that said "We Love Kayla." Her parents, Ken and Teri Burt, took in the scene from their seats near Washington's bench.

Burt can no longer play because of her condition, but she seemed comfortable in her new role on the bench. Dressed in a white turtleneck and crimson jacket, she looked like an assistant coach.

She sat with her hands clasped in her lap, but often leaped to her feet to clap when a teammate made a good play. And she stood and gave Heather Payne a hug when Payne was replaced with 4:03 remaining.