On the cusp of the Southern Steel as a 19-year-old, injury cut short the midcourter's season before it started.
A four-year stint in Australia followed, during which she all but gave the game away for three of those years.
Upon returning to Invercargill last year as a 26-year-old, she was propelled into the Steel as injury cover.
This year she has completed the remarkable cycle and gained a full contract.
"I've just done a complete 360," she said.
"I think I've had the best of both worlds, really. I've just always had the fire in the belly.
"When you want something, and when I want something, I'll keep going until I get it."
Once one of the South's most promising talents, McMinn was a training partner with the Steel was in 2012.
However, a build-up of muscle and fascia resulted in her developing compartment syndrome in her calves.
That meant blood flow was restricted and unable to reach her muscles and nerves.
She was stubborn and played through it, but it all became too much at a pre-season tournament.
"I wouldn't tell anyone my legs were sore, but they were really sore and I'd just go home and bawl my eyes out.
"We were playing the [Adelaide] Thunderbirds in Queenstown and I was on at centre and I looked at [coach Robyn Broughton] and I said `I can't run any more'.
"She looked at me like `what do you mean, keep running'.
"I had to come off and it was ruined."
Surgery followed, cutting away the fascia to restore blood flow.
Not long after, McMinn moved to Western Australia with her partner.
They wanted a new experience and to make some money in the mines.
She worked at the mine's campsite doing jobs such as driving vehicles and cleaning rooms.
After playing netball in her first year, it became too hard to fit in.
She would leave to work for two weeks, before returning home for a week off.
After three years she took a job as a flight attendant with Qantas, transporting workers to and from the mines.
McMinn returned home with her partner last year and getting fit again became a focus.
She decided to trial for the Beko League team and made that.
Fighting in a charity boxing event also helped with her fitness, before she was asked to train with the Steel.
Her ANZ Premiership debut came last year in a home win against the Northern Mystics.
Now a full-time squad member, she has added plenty of spark off the bench in all five games this year.
"I just know that when I go on I have to run my heart out.
"This is my time to prove that I can handle it when I'm on the court.
"If Curly [coach Reinga Bloxham] does need that option of me sitting on the bench, that she has faith I'm going to be able to pull through.
"She's giving me the opportunity so you don't want to let her down - she tells you to go on with energy you go on with energy."
The Steel plays the Central Pulse on Monday.
