Characters in Slam Dunk who are incredibly popular despite having little screen time

It is Yohei Ryota.
In the beginning, he was a supporting character, but after the early-to-mid stages, he practically becomes an extra.
At some point, even the role of match commentator—which Yohei Ryota had been handling—is taken away by members of the opposing teams, such as Kim Su-gyeom, Seong Hyeon-jun, Lee Jeong-hwan, Jeon Ho-jang, and even Kim Dong-sik.
According to some rumors, if Slam Dunk had taken a more delinquent/school violence direction, his importance would have increased, or he was originally intended to take Mitsui's place; regardless, in reality, he ends up as a supporting character on the level of an extra.
Yet, Yohei Ryota's popularity is so immense that you have to wonder if his screen time is even appropriate.
He took 5th and 6th place in the official Shonen Jump polls,
and even in 2017, after the series had concluded, he took 6th place.
While the captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi in Rurouni Kenshin also showed incredible popularity despite appearing as an extra in a single panel, I think that case is a bit different since that person is a real historical figure with existing recognition.