LARAMIE - Afam Moujeke is no stranger to making statements.

It's just that they were all about fashion in his first year in Laramie.

On Saturday, he'll trade in his colorful sweater vests and khakis for the Wyoming uniform he's been waiting to don for more than a year.

"I've been thinking about (coming down the tunnel) since last year," Moujeke said before the Cowboys practiced Tuesday at the Arena-Auditorium. "It's going to be fun. We're going to be a really fun team to watch this year."

UW will face Colorado School of Mines on Saturday in its only exhibition before the start of the regular season and there's little doubt that Moujeke will play a significant role on a team coming off a 12-18 season in coach Heath Schroyer's first year.

"I think he's going to be a really good player," Schroyer said. "I have to pinch myself at times to remind myself that he's a freshman and this is the first time he's actually going to be on a real team.

"But there's flashes of him that lead you to think that he has a chance to be a really, really good player."

Moujeke suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss nearly every preseason practice last year.

He had mostly recovered by the time the regular season got under way, but after meeting with Schroyer the two decided their best option was to redshirt him, relegating him to the scout team.

Moujeke admits he put up a fight when Schroyer first brought it up, but looking back the rookie is anything but upset that he gave in to the advice and took the year off.

"He thought it was best for me just to fully recover and take the year off," Moujeke said. "And I'm kinda glad he did that. I really wanted to go out there and play … but at the end of the day, I think it was a good thing I did that."

Not only did he get the recovery time, but Moujeke spent a season defending Brad Jones in practice and learning from Sean Ogirri, a senior who was also sitting out after transferring from Wichita State.

Moujeke had time to acclimate to the new system, experience road trips and mature.

And he finally got a taste of game situations during an informal practice scrimmage at Washington on Saturday.

Scores and statistics weren't kept and teams aren't allowed to comment specifically on the scrimmage, but many around the program have said Moujeke met or exceeded expectations.

"We went out there and executed and, even though we weren't going 100 percent, I think we did well," Moujeke said. "It was (a confidence-builder). They have a highly talented guy named Quincy Pondexter and he's real aggressive out there and it really helped me a lot."

Schroyer hasn't kept it a secret that Moujeke's biggest weak spot is on defense, but the second-year coach has seen improvement.

And while Moujeke said he hasn't been told exactly what his role will be - don't be surprised if his name appears in the starting lineup somewhere along the line - he's just ready to finally make some statements on the court.

"Whatever happens, happens," Moujeke said. "I'm going to go out there and play my hardest regardless.

"I'm comfortable with whatever coach wants me to do. If he wants 10 minutes, I'll give it my hardest for 10 minutes. If he wants 30, I'll give him my hardest for 30."

Contact sports reporter Eric Schmoldt at (307) 266-0578 or eric.schmoldt@trib.com.

TUESDAY: The Wyoming men's basketball team practiced before Saturday's exhibition against Colorado School of Mines.

MO' JEKE: Redshirt freshman Afam Moujeke will suit up for the first time after sitting out last season in part due to an injured knee.

HE SAID IT: "There's flashes of (Moujeke) that lead you to think that he has a chance to be a really, really good player." - UW coach Heath Schroyer.

SATURDAY: Wyoming hosts Colorado School of Mines in its only preseason exhibition on Saturday at 7 p.m.