Thursday, 21 June 2012:

Former Adelaide 36ers coach Mike Dunlap has been confirmed as coach of NBA side Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday.

Dunlap, who coached the 36ers from 1994-96 with great success, has been charged with turning around the fortunes of the worst team in NBA history after the Bobcats went 7-59 in the shortened NBA regular season.

That win percentage of 10.6 was an all-time NBA low and resulted in Paul Silas being dumped as coach after they lost their final 23 games of the season.

The American, who led the 36ers to the 1994 NBL grand final, has previously worked as an assistant at the Denver Nuggets and will work under NBA great Michael Jordan - who owns the Bobcats.

"Mike Dunlap embodies the characteristics we were seeking in a coach," said Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins.

"He is renowned in basketball circles as a teacher, developer of talent, communicator and collaborator.

"His energy and work ethic are endless and we are excited to have him in charge of our team."

Dunlap had served as an assistant coach at St. John's University and served as coach for most of last season while regular boss Steve Lavin recovered from prostate cancer surgery.

The Bobcats will have the No.2 selection in next week's NBA Draft, losing the top spot to the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA Draft Lottery last month.

AAP