HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Felony domestic abuse charges won't be filed against Portland Trail Blazers forward Ruben Patterson after his wife asked prosecutors to drop the case.

Patterson was arrested at his home Nov. 25 after his wife, Shannon, called 911 and reported that her husband had assaulted her. He was released from Washington County Jail after a teammate posted $1,000 bail.

Shannon Patterson spoke with the Washington County District Attorney's office Monday and said she did not wish the prosecution of her husband to proceed.

''There are often times when it is appropriate and necessary for the State of Oregon to pursue criminal charges in domestic assault situations even when the victim does not desire prosecution,'' district attorney Bob Hermann said in a statement.

''There are some situations where the state of Oregon can proceed with other admissible evidence in the absence of a completely cooperative and willing victim. This is not one of those situations.''

Patterson had been scheduled to appear in court Friday to face formal charges stemming from the arrest. He faced up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted.

He has not commented publicly on the matter other than to release a statement Saturday that said: ''This is a very difficult time for my family and I. I'm sorry for the embarrassment and distraction this causes my team, the organization, the fans, and especially, my family.''

Phone calls seeking comment from Patterson's agent, Dan Fegan, were not immediately returned.

The Trail Blazers play host to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

''This situation is troubling to us as an organization, and to our fans,'' Trail Blazers spokesman Mike Hanson said. ''Whether any allegation is found to be true or untrue we simply don't want our players in these types of situations. Moving forward, our position remains the same: Family is much more important than basketball and we hope Ruben continues to work through any personal issues.''

Patterson's arrest came less than a week after teammates Rasheed Wallace and Damon Stoudamire were cited in Washington state for misdemeanor marijuana possession. They are scheduled to appear in Lewis County District Court on Friday.

Patterson was already on probation following a 2001 modified guilty plea in Washington state on charges he tried to rape his children's nanny.

He was suspended by the NBA for the first five games of last season, his first games with the Blazers after signing a six-year, $33.8 million contract following two years with the SuperSonics. He had to register as a sex offender with Washington County when he moved to Oregon.

He also was convicted of misdemeanor assault in February 2001 for attacking a man who scratched his car outside a Cleveland night club.

After his arrest last week, Shannon Patterson issued a statement through Fegan.

''I want the public to know that Ruben did not assault me. I love my husband, and this is a private family matter,'' she said. ''I'm embarrassed that it became public and this is something we are working out privately.''