National Basketball Association

LeBron who? Look who has NBA's top-selling jersey

Published Feb. 26, 2014 12:14 a.m. ET

foxsports

The significance of Jason Collins becoming the first openly gay athlete to play a game in one of the major sports in America continues to make an impact, nearly 48 hours after he stepped foot on the Staples Center floor.

And Tuesday brought perhaps the firmest proof yet that Collins has touched people around the world:

According to For The Win, the top-selling jersey in all the NBA is a Jason Collins Brooklyn Nets jersey — one which he has yet to even wear in a game.

Along with the man wearing the jersey, the significance of the number can be found in the man to whom it is in tribute:

Collins will wear 98-a reference to 1998, when Matthew Shepard was murdered-but that jersey won't be ready tonight, so he'll wear 46. #Nets
— Alex Raskin (@alexraskinNYC) February 23, 2014

When Collins originally signed his 10-day contract with the Nets, he did so on the morning of a game, so there was not enough time to get his 98 jersey ready in time for the game. So he went with the 46. It worked, as the Nets topped the Lakers.

Brooklyn will next play at Portland on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Collins said he has received positive support from all walks of life, and has spent his time "just trying to thank everyone for their support."

— The Associated Press contributed to this report

H/t: For The Win