For all the accolades earned during a decorated career, this was one honour that basketballer Dillon Boucher found overwhelming.
Boucher was today made a member of the New Zealand Order or Merit for services to basketball, a sport with which he's been involved for more than half his life.
The 38-year-old racked up 13 championships in Australasian leagues during a playing career that continues, but news of his latest recognition was unexpected.
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"I was a little bit taken back," he said. "When the envelope came I was a little bit worried about what it was. I opened it and it was a bit overwhelming, to be honest. To receive something like this is a really nice touch. I certainly didn't play the sport to get something like this but I've put a lot into the sport and it's nice that someone's recognised that."